Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla answered your sports questions in a Lunch Special on Monday. Here are the highlights:
Mark, let’s get into it. With heading to the Lakers, what does this mean for the Nuggets hopes of not only making the playoffs next season, but making some NOISE in the playoffs?
Kiszla: LeBron James went to Los Angeles. He was always going to Los Angeles. He met with Magic Johnson at his home the instant free agency opened. He did due diligence, having his representatives listen to the best pitch from Philadelphia prior to signing with the Lakers. And no matter how much Earl Boykins wished it to be true, LeBron James was not going to play in Denver. So where does that leave the Nuggets. They expect to not only make the playoffs, but be among the top four teams in the West. Free agency, however, did Denver no favors. King James will make the Lakers a playoff team with one stroke of his pen later this week. While many league pundits thought Paul George’s return to the Thunder meant James might be having second thoughts about the Lakers, I would speculate (and speculate only) it meant that James had second thoughts about playing alongside George. How does the West shape up on July 2? Current power rankings, as optimistically as I can make ’em for the Nuggets: 1) Golden State; 1A) Houston; 3) Oklahoma City, 4) Lakers, 5) Utah and 6) Nuggets.
Kiz, any other free agents out there who you see in the picture for the Nuggs?
Kiszla: The picture for the Nuggets isn’t pretty. They committed $12 million plus per year to retain . And I’m glad they did. But Denver is severely into luxury-tax hell. And that’s not place to be if you’re not a legitimate contender for the championship. The Nuggets wanted everyone to know they were “doggedly” pursuing a “meeting” with LeBron James. That’s cool. But it diverted the attention from the short-term mess Denver has made with the salary cap, in no small part because Tim Connelly and the gang overspent for at this time last year. The team has to look at moving and his $13.7 million contract. The team has looked at moving Faried forever. It’s time to stop messing around and get it done.
Do you think the Nuggets gaslighted the fans with talk of LeBron? Fully knowing they had no chance but appearing to make an effort?
Kiszla: Gaslight is not a word I’m gonna use. I don’t think the Nuggets were trying to mislead their fans. But all the hullabaloo about the “meeting” started with a radio station owned by the Kroenke family. Hey, everybody has a job to do. It was cheerleading. Wishful thinking. Call it what you like. But I hope, going forward, some more fans now realize there is a difference between an independent news source and the spin put out by a media outlet owned by a pro sports franchise. While I hope (and beg) everyone to subscribe to The Denver Post, we’re not your only source for reliable and real news in this market. There are my friends at The Athletic, BSN and several very good folks at 104.3. If you prefer spin, you know where to go. To each his own.
If has a “10-cent head” will he ever recover from this demotion?
Kiszla: Jon Gray got demoted to the minor leagues. And when it happened, my first thought was: Was took so long? I did use the “10 cent head” line with Gray. And I own it. But I take no pleasure in seeing him fail. He’s a good man, with good stuff, undermined with issues of poor focus and insecurity on the mound. He has worked and worked hard on his mental approach. So I’m going to wish him the best and think that he can be a pitcher that’s stronger between the ears when he returns to the Rockies. Naming him the ace was a mistake. It was a mistake Rockies management should have realized, because the folks over on Blake Street were more aware of his confidence issues than I am.
is frustrated and I don’t blame him. What percent chance would you give the Rox of resigning him long term?
Kiszla: Nolan Arenado aired his frustration last week, as the Rockies swooned in June. But know what was the most important aspect of his words? It wasn’t the frustration with losing. It was the face that Arenado, more so than even the highly competitive guys that wear a major-league uniform, is in the game to win. To play in October. He felt that way last week. And he felt that way a year ago. Arenado’s comments did not change the probability of him staying with the Rockies long-term. Team management has had to know for many, many moons that if they aren’t competitive when Arenado’s contract expires, he’s moving on. That’s why they spent big on the bullpen. That’s why they extended the contract of . They’re trying to win, because winning is probably the only thing that can keep Arenado in Colorado. So far this season … it’s not working out so hot.
What has surprised you most this World Cup?
Kiszla: My first surprise is I have checked ESPN’s soccer site so often that it now thinks I’m Portuguese and I have to get it translated into English. I’m telling you the truth. I’m thinking there’s got to be a simple fix for this issue and somebody tech savvy out there will do a solid for this knucklehead and help me out. On the pitch, I think you’ve got to say Russia is the surprise of the tourney. That’s obvious. Home team in the quarterfinals. Hey, if Russia can do it, there’s got to be hope the USMNT can do the same when the World Cup is played in our backyard in 2026.
If you’re the Rockies, who are you trading at the deadline? I think and for whatever you can get, and then play the kids.
Kiszla: I’d be tempted to sell now and play the kids. But the vibe from general manager is he wants to give the Rockies another two weeks to show signs they can compete for first place in the National League West. And that’s cool by me. Go down fighting. Nothing wrong with that. Kudos. The fact you bring Carlos Gonzalez up as trade bait, however, is interesting. After CarGo found no takers for his services in the offseason, and came back to the Rockies, if they could flip him as a rental player for a contender and get something of worth in return, I would think that would have to be considered a feather in Bridich’s cap.
Do you think Chad Kelly will be — just kidding. I know you love those questions. OK, which Broncos logo and uniform is better: the old orange or the current “predominantly orange?”
Kiszla: The Broncos are orange. And what I call the “snorting D” logo is the best. There cannot be too much orange in this state. In fact, and Colorado State fans have heard me say it umpteen times, the Rams should make their uniform colors predominantly “Aggie orange.”
Do you think the Rockies should be buyers or sellers at the deadline?
Kiszla: The time to sell is near. Very near. But you don’t have to be in any hurry to sell. So why not give it another two weeks. Not saying things will look any better in the standings for the Rockies. It doesn’t hurt to wait, though. And BTW: I predicted the Rockies would win 92 games this season. My bad. See what I get for being Mr. Sunshine?
The curious case of Luke Heimlich, college baseball’s best pitcher who didn’t get drafted because he pleaded guilty when he was 15 years old to molesting his niece, who was 6 at the time, but now insists now he’s innocent and only pled guilty to “avoid the pain of a trial.” Does he deserve a second chance, a la Michael Vick?
Kiszla: I am not close enough to this story to spout my opinion on such a delicate subject. That’s not dodging the issue. It’s an admission that when I don’t have insight, I’m not going pretend to act like I do. It’s a troubling story, no doubt. And if anybody wants to read all the details, seek out the . It was written, if memory serves, by Scott Price. And Mr. Price is not only an eloquent writer, but an excellent reporter.
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