Jokic and the Nuggets gear up for road ahead as they try to defend their NBA title

The Associated Press

20 October 2023 at 1:01 pm·2-min read

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, drives to the rim as Chicago Bulls guard Coby white defends in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives past Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu in the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond, left, loses control of the ball while driving to the basket past Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray in the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER NUGGETS

Last season: 53-29, won the first NBA title in franchise history.

Coach: Michael Malone (10th season with Nuggets, 367-270; 12th season overall, 406-337)

What to expect: Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat in five games to hoist the franchise’s first Larry O’Brien Trophy. Before that, the Nuggets were known more for their iconic rainbow skyline jerseys and their ABA roots. The combination of Jokic and Jamal Murray led Denver to a 16-4 mark in the playoffs, including a sweep of their nemesis, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the Western Conference finals. They have the full attention of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers after they heard some perceived gloating out of the Mile High City. Perhaps fitting the Lakers are in town for the opener on Oct. 24 when the Nuggets raise their championship banner to the rafters. Coach Michael Malone insisted the page has been turned on last season. “If we’re serious about being a team that can repeat, if we’re serious about trying to be a team that can be a dynasty, we have to bring our best every single day,” Malone said. “I don’t want to live in the past.” The first order of business for Denver is finding a replacement for veteran guard Bruce Brown, who signed a lucrative deal with Indiana. Christian Braun will receive more minutes. So, too, will guard Reggie Jackson and Peyton Watson. Denver boasts one of the top starting lineups in the league in Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Departures: Brown, F Jeff Green, C Thomas Bryant, G Ish Smith.

Additions: G/F Justin Holiday, F Julian Strawther, G Jalen Pickett, F Hunter Tyson.

Player to watch: Murray. Everyone knows when the playoffs roll around, he takes his game to an entirely different level. The challenge from Malone is to do that night in and night out in the regular season. Murray, who missed the 2021-22 season to recover from a torn ACL, is looking to make his first All-Star team. “What Jamal did in the playoffs was ridiculous,” Malone said. “I think if Jamal can continue to play the way he played during those playoffs and get off to that kind of start, that’ll be so impactful for our group.”

Season opener: Oct. 24 against rival Lakers.

FanDuel Sportsbook NBA title odds: 5 1/2 to 1.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

HuffPost
Reporter Reveals 'Real Anger' From Biden White House Aides After Debate
They were "shocked" and felt "they had not been told the truth," said Axios' Alex Thompson.
Evening Standard
'Misstiano Penaldo': John Terry brands BBC 'a disgrace' for dig at crying Cristiano Ronaldo over penalty miss
BBC coverage of the Euro 2024 did not go down well with the former Chelsea captain
Bloomberg
China’s AI startups head to Singapore in a bid for global growth
When Wu Cunsong and Chen Binghui founded their artificial intelligence startup two years ago in Hangzhou, China, they quickly ran into obstacles, including dearth of venture capital.
The Independent
Seven people - including four kids - shot by neighbor who once told them to ‘go back to where they came from’
Motive still being investigated, but shooting ‘could’ have racial element, police say
The Independent
Bodycam footage released after 13-year-old boy shot and killed by police in New York
Body camera footage released by the department shows officers tackling the boy to the ground before firing a gun
INSIDER
Malaysia's $100 billion ghost town is good for at least one thing: filming documentaries and shows like Netflix's 'The Mole'
Embattled Forest City is a backdrop for a handful of reality shows and documentaries.
INSIDER
A millennial couple moved to Bali 2 years ago. Making friends was one of the hardest parts.
There's a common refrain that things in Bali are cheap — and that's not necessarily true, they said.
The Hill
70 percent of voters have decided who they will back in November: Poll
More than 7 in 10 voters have already decided whom they will vote for in the November presidential election, according to a new poll. The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday showed 72 percent of respondents said they have already made up their minds, while 28 percent said they are still weighing their choices. That’s a…
Bloomberg
Russian goods find their way to Singapore as war fatigue sets in
Heavily discounted Russian-made goods, from hair products to chocolate, are finding their way onto Singapore’s virtual supermarket shelves.
The Telegraph
Russian air strike ‘destroys five Ukrainian fighter jets’ at airbase
A Russian missile attack destroyed five warplanes at a Ukrainian airbase primed to receive F-16 fighter jets from Kyiv’s Nato allies.
People
'Very Sweet Young Lady' Is Killed on Her 21st Birthday, Suspect in Custody
Joselyn Toaquiza was reported missing on Wednesday, June 19, the day after she turned 21, before police learned she'd been killed the day before
HuffPost
Harvard Law Professor Delivers Chilling Prediction After Trump Immunity Ruling
Laurence Tribe explained what the Supreme Court decision means in "practical purposes" and it's "devastating."
Evening Standard
England have already been dealt huge selection blow for Switzerland quarter-final clash at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate will be forced into Three Lions reshuffle for last-eight showdown in Dusseldorf
The Independent
Prostitute is fatally strangled then sexually assaulted inside Las Vegas casino by man who said he ‘snapped’
Jason Kendall, 35, is being held without bond in connection to the murder of Larissa Garcia at a Las Vegas casino
DollarsAndSense.sg
22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life
Lifelong buddies, service to Singapore, personal development – the best things in NS life are priceless. For everything else, there’s the eMart. The post 22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
South China Morning Post
China urges 'severe punishment' for killers of citizen in Philippines
China has urged the Philippines to find and "severely punish" the killers of a kidnapped Chinese citizen in a case that has led to a diplomatic intervention by Beijing. The Chinese embassy in Manila said it had been informed a few days ago that the person had been kidnapped in the Philippines, and it assisted the family in reporting the case to the Philippine National Police's Anti-Kidnapping Bureau. It also intervened through diplomatic channels to ask for a rescue and that measures be taken to
The Telegraph
Someone is standing up to Beijing’s ‘Nine Dash Line’ South China Sea land-grab
Scarborough Shoal is a ring of rocks and reefs 29 miles around that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea west of Luzon, the Philippines’ biggest island. Unfortunately for the Philippines, the Shoal also lies within the so-called “Nine Dash Line” under which China attempts to claim that it owns more or less the entire South China Sea – in defiance of international law and international court judgement.
Simply Wall St.
3 SGX Stocks That May Be Trading Below Their Estimated Intrinsic Value By Up To 47.2%
As the Singapore market shows signs of robust activity, with innovative companies like Currensea successfully raising significant funds through crowdfunding, it highlights a growing investor confidence and interest in diverse sectors. In this context, identifying stocks that are potentially trading below their intrinsic value could offer attractive opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on current market conditions.
SETHLUI.COM
11 best affordable Korean food spots in Singapore your wallet & tummy will love
The post 11 best affordable Korean food spots in Singapore your wallet & tummy will love appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
HuffPost
'Very Bad News' For Trump: Lawrence O'Donnell Says Ruling Could Backfire Quickly
The MSNBC host revealed how the former president's case could be back in court sooner than anyone realizes.

Jokic and the Nuggets gear up for road ahead as they try to defend their NBA title

Bulls Nuggets Basketball

Latest stories

Reporter Reveals 'Real Anger' From Biden White House Aides After Debate

'Misstiano Penaldo': John Terry brands BBC 'a disgrace' for dig at crying Cristiano Ronaldo over penalty miss

China’s AI startups head to Singapore in a bid for global growth

Seven people - including four kids - shot by neighbor who once told them to ‘go back to where they came from’

Bodycam footage released after 13-year-old boy shot and killed by police in New York

Malaysia's $100 billion ghost town is good for at least one thing: filming documentaries and shows like Netflix's 'The Mole'

A millennial couple moved to Bali 2 years ago. Making friends was one of the hardest parts.

70 percent of voters have decided who they will back in November: Poll

Russian goods find their way to Singapore as war fatigue sets in

Russian air strike ‘destroys five Ukrainian fighter jets’ at airbase

'Very Sweet Young Lady' Is Killed on Her 21st Birthday, Suspect in Custody

Harvard Law Professor Delivers Chilling Prediction After Trump Immunity Ruling

England have already been dealt huge selection blow for Switzerland quarter-final clash at Euro 2024

Prostitute is fatally strangled then sexually assaulted inside Las Vegas casino by man who said he ‘snapped’

22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life

China urges 'severe punishment' for killers of citizen in Philippines

Someone is standing up to Beijing’s ‘Nine Dash Line’ South China Sea land-grab

3 SGX Stocks That May Be Trading Below Their Estimated Intrinsic Value By Up To 47.2%

11 best affordable Korean food spots in Singapore your wallet & tummy will love

'Very Bad News' For Trump: Lawrence O'Donnell Says Ruling Could Backfire Quickly