Unable to defend their NBA title, the Nuggets duo Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic ready to lead a new quest

DENVER (AP) — Some takeaways from Thursday’s media day for the Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic can grow a top-notch beard/goatee, Jamal Murray aspires to become an MMA fighter and Aaron Gordon hosted a dump- impressive attic this summer. as he cleaned out his closet.

Oh, and not defending their crown sat well with absolutely no one. They are eager to climb the top of the NBA mountain again, but with a different look. Gone are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson. Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric are brought in.

Of course, there are mainstays Jokic, now a three-time NBA MVP, and Murray, who just signed a 4-year contract extension worth up to $208 million. The Nuggets are coming off a season in which they tied the franchise’s NBA winning record (57), only to be eliminated in the second round of the playoffs against Minnesota. Denver squandered a 20-point second-half lead in Game 7 at home.

“After a season where everyone says we failed, it’s my job to make sure we don’t believe all that (expletive),” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who guided the team toward its first NBA championship in 2022-23. “We are a good team. Over the past six years, no one in the West has managed to do what we have done. Remember this, but also challenge yourself to not be satisfied. Push yourself and your teammate to become even better.

The time has come

Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth estimated that Jokic had a 10-year prime contention window and they were halfway there.

“You hit one, that’s awesome,” Booth said. “It’s going to be incredibly difficult to win another one.”

On the agenda for Booth, the negotiation of a contract extension with Gordon, which he can do from Friday. Gordon is coming off a season in which he averaged 13.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in his “do a little bit of everything” role.

“I really love this organization,” Gordon said. “I hope we can do it.”

Gordon changed his jersey to No. 32 this season to honor his brother, Drew, who died four months ago in a car accident in Oregon. Aaron Gordon said his teammates helped him get through the ordeal.

“These guys have been there for me every step of the way,” Gordon said. “These guys have truly become people I would call my brothers.”

Garage sale

Gordon has long been a fan favorite. This was evident when he opened his wardrobe to fans this summer. Its pop-up event was well received.

“Just a garage sale,” he snapped. “It just got a little out of control. It’s a great community. They accepted me and I’m just grateful.

On Thursday, Murray wasn’t exactly in an expansive mood while on the podium, but he did reveal his affection for mixed martial arts. He worked with former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

“I could have a career there after this,” said Murray, who struggled for Team Canada this summer at the Paris Games. “But I’m doing this right now.”

Dynamic duo

Murray forms quite the partnership on the court with Jokic, who showed up with a beard/goatee that he’s already considering removing. Jokic enters training camp on the high of helping Serbia win an Olympic bronze medal in Paris. He’s already picked up his first assist of the year by playing a role in bringing Westbrook to town.

“Great, great player for us,” said Jokic, who won his third NBA MVP award in four seasons after a regular season averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and nine assists. “He’s going to bring us all the good things.”

Westbrook joined the Nuggets in an effort to capture the one thing missing from his distinguished resume: a title.

“As long as we as a team do our best, we can live with the results,” Westbrook said. “If it’s a championship, I’m grateful for it. If not, I am also grateful for the opportunity.

Fun media day

Westbrook was in a jovial mood Thursday, playfully imitating Murray’s signature “Blue Arrow” pose while Murray took photos. This made Murray smile.

That’s just Westbrook’s personality.

“People confuse intensity with competitiveness,” Westbrook said. “When I’m on the ground, I don’t want to walk around, shake hands, kiss babies. I’m here to kick some (butt). From the ground, I am relaxed.

Notes: Altitude announced a deal to offer Nuggets and Avalanche games via a streaming app as well as a handful of locally streamed games. Altitude TV has been in a long-running dispute with Comcast, the state’s largest cable company, which has no longer carried Altitude since their previous deal expired in 2019. … The contenders to join Murray, Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Gordon in the lead role lineup appears to be Christian Braun and Julian Strawther. … Porter, who has had back issues in the past, took advantage of a healthy offseason to work even more on the field.

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