Broncos fans making linebacker Von Miller the villain should remember that when John Elway was drafted, he refused to play for the Baltimore Colts, who traded him to Denver. Thank you, Kiz, for resisting the urge to pursue the convenient villain in this narrative, as so many pedestrian mentalities do. Truth usually is more complicated than people desire it to be. Elway played hardball as a player many years ago, and now he is on the business end as Miller does the same.
Barry, Denver
Kiz: This is Elway’s town. Around here, he is undefeated in all major clashes as both a player and front-office executive. Back in his playing days, when push came to shove, Elway won and coach Dan Reeves lost. At the height of Tebowmania, Elway might have been the only general manager who could have gotten away with cutting Tim Tebow. In contract negotiations, neither Elvis Dumervil nor Peyton Manning was any match for Elway. But Old No. 7 is wrestling with the Vonster now. Careful, Mr. Elway. You might ask Superman how picking a fight with Miller turned out for the Carolina Panthers at Super Bowl 50.
The Cavaliers will win Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Why? Just because LeBron James is playing so well. It will be close, though. I’m hoping for a buzzer beater just for the extra drama.
Callum, Texas via London
Kiz: The champs are running on empty, and the immense strain on Golden State is revealed every time Stephen Curry chucks his mouthpiece, Draymond Green hits below the belt or Steve Kerr complains about the refs. If James completes this comeback against a team that won 73 games during the regular season, it won’t be a hot take to declare Cleveland’s achievement as the biggest upset in NBA Finals history. Can’t guarantee you it will happen, but because I’m always rooting for the best story, here’s hoping the Cavs win.
All the good players you want the Nuggets to draft — Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn, Marquese Chriss and Buddy Hield — will be gone by the No. 7 pick in the first round. Denver needs to grow (some courage), trade up and make something happen.
Peter, Denver
Kiz: Here’s the deal. Murray, Dunn, Chriss or Hield could help the Nuggets. But none of them is worth trading up to get. So Denver should gamble and see who drops. Here’s my promise: One (or more) of these four prospects will be there at No. 7.
And today’s parting shot blasts Kickin’ It Headquarters for applauding the decision by Rockies owner Dick Monfort to eat a $40 million contract and part ways with troubled shortstop Jose Reyes.
The only time Monfort should get a standard ovation is when he sells the team. He is a cheap (dude) who is just cashing checks. We had Reyes in Colorado only because Monfort was too cheap to pay Troy Tulowitzki the full value of his contract. Are you on Monfortap payroll now, Kiz?
Bryan, angry (dude)
