OK, I know after Golden State signed DeMarcus Cousins, it’s going to be the Warriors and then everyone else.
But, Nuggets fans, there’s a lot to be excited for after the team’s offseason moves. Denver hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2013, but for a team that has just missed the postseason by just one game each of the two years and has been trending up for several seasons, 2918-19 could be really fun.
Nikola Jokic and Will Barton are going to be with the team for a while after signing long-term lucrative deals last week. The Nuggets are banking on continuity for success in the brutal Western Conference, Gina Mizell writes.
Drafting highly touted forward Michael Porter Jr. could be the steal of the draft, Mark Kiszla writes. Despite a rough freshman year battling injuries at Missouri, he’s been .
And just last Thursday, Denver signed point guard Isaiah Thomas to a one-year, $2 million deal. “Should Thomas return to full health, he could give Denver some serious scoring and playmaking punch off the bench — a need with Barton’s projected move to the starting small forward spot,” Gina writes. Remember, before battling a nagging hip injury last season for Cleveland and the Lakers, he’s just a year removed from averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists while carrying Boston to the No. 1 seed in the East.
“The Disney ending to the Thomas saga would be him finding his old form and swimming in suitors next summer. It would befit the career of a man who has consistently defied expectations,” .
The Nuggets — and their fans — sure hope so.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Home Run Derby, 6 p.m., ESPN
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Rockies 4, Mariners 3
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World Cup: France 4, Croatia 2
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Must-Read
NFL Summer Series: One bold prediction for all 32 teams
In the final installment of The Denver Postap NFL Summer Series, Broncos beat reporter Kyle Fredrickson provides one bold prediction for all 32 teams. Read more…
A youth baseball coach in Texas fixed Trevor Story’s swing. Now the Rockies’ shortstop is an all-star
Story will join teammates Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon at Nationals Stadium in Washington for the 89th Midsummer Classic. Read more…
By signing Nikola Jokic and Will Barton to long-term contracts, Denver Nuggets banking on continuity in brutal Western Conference
While populating the Nuggets’ bench early in the 2015-16 season, Will Barton concocted a nickname for him and new teammate Nikola Jokic. “He called us Kobe and Shaq,” Jokic recalled with a smile. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Patrick Saunders takes a look at the compelling Rockies storylines entering the MLB All-Star break.
+ The is coming to History Colorado Center starting Monday.
+ A sweet science is preparing Broncos rookie Sam Jones for his first camp, Ryan O’Halloran writes.
+ Rockies’ Jon Gray pitched like an ace in his return from Triple-A on Saturday.
+ The Rockies never hit the panic button, even during their June swoon.
+ Former Widefield and UNC star Vincent Jackson closes his NFL career proud of his Colorado roots, Kyle Fredrickson writes.
+ CU, CSU and Air Force combine to offer more than 700 scholarships for the 2019 class.
+ Freshman Cameron Swartz feels at home with the Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team.
+ Former NHL goalie Ray Emery drowned in Hamilton, Ontario. He was 35.
By The Numbers
4
Martin Truex Jr., Denver’s NASCAR team stay hot by winning Quaker State 400
Martin Truex Jr. won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway, passing Brad Keselowski and then Kurt Busch late on the way to repeating as champion on Saturday night. It was his fourth victory this season and 19th of his career. Read more…
Parting Shot
Oscar Robertson’s NBA title ring, other items being auctioned
Oscar Robertson’s 1971 NBA championship ring is among the basketball Hall of Famer’s items being auctioned. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
