Author: Vinny Bendettto
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Who will carry more pressure in 2026-27: Cale Makar or Nikola Jokic? | Friday Faceoff
Friday Faceoff: Who will carry more pressure in 2026-27: Cale Makar or Nikola Jokic? Evan Rawal, Avalanche reporter Answer: Cale Makar While his record-breaking contract doesn’t kick in for another season, the average fan won’t care. When the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022, it was Makar who carried the load for the team.…
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What grade do Nuggets receive for their offseason moves? | Friday Faceoff
Friday Faceoff: What grade do the Nuggets receive for their offseason moves? Mark Kiszla, sports columnist Grade: D+ The Nuggets are trying to get by on a DeRozan and a prayer. At age 37, DeMar DeRozan is supposed to be the savior of a former NBA champion in steep decline. Well, isn’t that special? I’m…
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From the Golden Ball to the USMNT, The Denver Gazette’s predictions | 2026 World Cup preview
The Denver Gazette gives its predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Paul Klee, sports editor The USMNT will… shock the world with a quarterfinal run, a feat made even more difficult with the expansion to 48 teams and the new round of 32. The massive field leads to an astounding 72 games in the…
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Which superstar big man do you take now: Nikola Jokic or Victor Wembanyama? | Friday Faceoff
Friday Faceoff: Which superstar big man do you take now — the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama or Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic? Paul Klee, sports editor Answer: Joker With all due respect to my friend Vinny Buckets, the basketball world’s rush to crown Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is a classic case of recency bias. This is Wemby’s moment.…
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North Carolina hires former Nuggets coach Michael Malone
Michael Malone’s time away from the sidelines didn’t last long. Malone, the only coach to lead the Nuggets to an NBA championship, is returning to coaching. The University of North Carolina intends to hire Malone to coach its decorated men’s basketball program, according to ESPN. Malone spent this basketball season as part of ESPN’s NBA…
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Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon to be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks with right hamstring strain
Aaron Gordon is facing another extended absence. Gordon will be reevaluated in four to six weeks after reaggravating his strained right hamstring in Friday’s game at Milwaukee. Gordon first strained his hamstring in Denver’s win in Houston on Nov. 21. He returned on Jan. 4. “(He) really held us down when he came back and…
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Nuggets-Grizzlies game postponed due to inclement weather
The Nuggets will be making another trip to Memphis later this season. Winter Storm Fern caused the postponement of Sunday’s game between the Nuggets and Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Nuggets travel to Memphis after Friday’s win in Milwaukee, but the NBA announced the postponement late Sunday morning. The game will be made up at a…
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Nikola Jokic named starter for NBA All-Star game, Nuggets star’s eighth selection
Nikola Jokic’s resume once again needs updating. Jokic was selected as an All-Star for the eighth time when the starters were announced Monday. Whether Jokic participates is another story. He hasn’t played since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on Dec. 29. The Western Conference’s other starters are Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lakers…
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Nikola Jokic to miss at least four weeks with knee injury, Nuggets say
The Nuggets are thrilled it wasn’t worse. The Nuggets said Tuesday that Nikola Jokic sustained a left knee hyperextension injury during Monday’s 147-123 loss at Miami. The three-time MVP will be reevaluated in four weeks, the team said. Jokic’s injury occurred when a teammate inadvertently stepped on his left foot in the final seconds of…
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Jonas Valanciunas continuing Lithuania’s proud basketball history with Nuggets
Vinny Benedetto, The Gazette There’s a new nation backing the Nuggets. “It’s a second religion for us, for Lithuanians,” Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas said of his homeland’s love for basketball after Monday’s game against the Bulls. A hundred or so Lithuanians gathered at Ball Arena for the Nuggets’ game against Chicago. Valanciunas spent time with…