The Nuggets organization has reconvened for another media day with a re-tooled roster and re-booted mentality. A new head coach is at the helm for the first time in about a decade, and David Adelman spent his day articulating his vision. The roster comprises a platoon of new faces, each brought to the podium for a formal introduction to Nuggets Nation. And the best player in the world, fresh off a disappointing run with Team Serbia, is back for another crack at the title. Let’s review our notes on key themes and quotes from the new campaign’s opening festivities.
This group spent the summer together
The first wave of whispers and rumors over the summer contained good news. We spoke at length on our show about the team’s organization over the offseason, hearing that they spent it in the gym together, in stark contrast to last summer. Every media day quote affirmed the notion. This group didn’t wait until training camp to start building chemistry and establishing a culture of player-held accountability. Jamal Murray’s name came up multiple times, most notably when Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Jon Wallace credited the point guard for leading the charge.
“You have to commend Jamal Murray this summer for how he was really vocal talking to the young guys and getting guys in the gym,” Wallace said.
“The vibe is at an all-time high”
The first mention of vibes came from Adelman, who noted that they play an integral role in team success — a dynamic that was on full display last season.
“I hate saying it like I’m a cheerleader, but it’s also the vibe,” Adelman explained. “It’s not just the X’s and the O’s. Are you happy to be here?”
When the answer is no, people lose their jobs. Players get traded. The operation grows soulless. But the answer after an encouraging offseason, at least on media day, is a resounding yes. That’s reflected in the player-organized workouts over the summer, and we could hear it in virtually every answer on Monday.
Who better to state it plainly than Bruce Brown, who has a way with words that look great in print:
“The vibe is at an all-time high. Everybody is on the same page. We know what the goal is.”
Perhaps the most interesting quote involving our keyword came, again, from Adelman, when asked how a group maintains a healthy environment:
“Your best players have to demand what the vibe will be daily…they can’t go into their shell…they have to manage their team as much as I do.”
Adelman helped seal the full-time gig by empowering and encouraging his best players to take responsibility for the locker room. Now, he’s asking them to share in the responsibility of maintaining a healthy culture. The once-young core has grown into the experienced veterans who won a title together. Now it’s time for them to grab the leadership duties by the horns.
The Nuggets sense what we sense
Tim Hardaway Jr., Brown, and Jonas Valanciunas — the newcomers — shared another common denominator at media day. Each of them described their excitement for the chance to win it all. For Valanciunas, it’s the ultimate selling point of embracing his new home. For Hardaway Jr., it was a “no-brainer” to embrace that opportunity and Denver’s playstyle. For Brown, it was a long couple of seasons away from home.
“I’m just happy to be back in Denver,” Brown said. “It was a long two seasons. A lot of losing basketball. I’m trying to win again.”
The returners are just as enthusiastic about the reinforcements. With their much-coveted depth acquired, the Nuggets have what they need to win it all. And the expectations should be set accordingly.
“Everything we’ve ever asked for, we have,” said Christian Braun. “Everything everyone in this locker room has wanted, we have. Everything we need is inside our locker room right now…(let’s) make sure it’s a no excuse season.”
With those reinforcements comes a necessary level of sacrifice from everyone on the roster. Not everyone will get to play. Some veterans will have to sit on occasion if young guys are to develop. And as they approach the postseason, confining oneself to thriving within their role will become paramount.
David Adelmen summarized it well:
“I think the guys like each other. But the other part of that is I think everybody senses what this is and the competition is for real here.”
Jamal Murray, the leader
Wallace was the first to mention Murray, but not the last. Adelman took the stand shortly after the executive tandem left it and offered more encouraging insights.
“Jamal had an amazing summer,” Adelman said. “He looks good. I think mentally he’s great. I give him so much credit in Los Angeles. The guys got together, you know, a voluntary action to come play in LA and just kind of get a feel for one another. But it’s not just about getting on the court together. It’s about going and hanging out, grabbing something to eat, and possibly a drink. So it was good to see Jamal take the lead on that. And it’s always cool to see when the veteran guys involve the two-way players that they have no relationship with.”
When asked about this display of initiative and leadership, Murray said simply:
“I’m just trying to win another championship.”
For those hoping Murray switched up his offseason conditioning routine, it brings me no pleasure to report the contrary. However, he did say that he feels better than he did last year, having had time to rest properly and get his body right for the season. No, he didn’t re-shape his routine, but he does seem to be adopting a new mentality. Murray is notorious for slow starts and a stated belief that he will turn it on when it matters most. But this year, when asked about a desire to make the All-Star team, he kept the focus on the task at hand.
“I’m just focused on having a really great November,” Murray said. “That’s my biggest thing, having a great November.”
That’s the exact kind of quote we’ve wanted from 27 — so long as you ignore that the season technically starts in October.
Nikola Jokić, the forever Nugget
Jokić brought one of his warmest and most jovial moods to media day, cracking jokes with reporters, wisecracking about his teammates, and answering each question thoughtfully. A restored enthusiasm emanated from the podium.
But I’ve buried the lede.
Jokić answered a direct question about his intentions on signing an extension next summer. Typically, with a choice that far away, a star player kicks the can down the road. He doesn’t owe anyone a declaration on something so deep into the future. But he threw us a bone anyway:
“My plan is to be Nuggets forever.”
That plan is alright by me.
Aaron Gordon, the stalwart
Gordon is healthy and aiming to stay on the floor after a nagging calf injury plagued him all season long. On the floor, Gordon pledged a recommitment to one of his old calling cards:
“I’m just going to turn it up on defense. We have so much talent on the offensive side.”
When healthy and with a proper delegation of roles, Gordon should be one of the most impactful defenders on the team. His contributions were sorely missed in that regard as he navigated the discomfort. Thankfully, he sounded singularly focused on that improvement, adding that Denver can win a title with a Top-10 defense.
David Adelmen, the open-minded
The final note from the circus is on Adelman’s open-mindedness, which stands out when juxtaposed with Michael Malone’s stubbornness. Adelman spoke of embracing multiple coverages defensively and different lineup combinations throughout the season. He acknowledged that Denver’s offensive identity has been exposed and is at risk of becoming outmoded as the league evolves. He tossed around the idea that Cam Johnson, or any other starter, might be the missing piece to the bench, not just Murray. Is Adelman right where Malone was wrong? Time is the only real juror here. But it’s hard to argue that things had gone stale in this organization. In Adelman, ownership chose freshness.
The Denver Nuggets are talking. The next step is walking. As they begin their quest for a return to greatness, it all starts with having a great training camp. As a wise man once said, you can’t skip steps.
