Bennett Durando

Why the Nuggets fired Michael Malone and Calvin Booth after seasons-long rift A look inside the divided culture that smoldered and stretched into the Nuggets locker room and ultimately cost Michael Malone and Calvin Booth their jobs.

Yeah, you’re going to want to read this from @bennettdurando.bsky.social …

www.denverpost.com/2025/04/11/m...

Lonzo Ball has been sounding board for Avalanche’s Gabe Landeskog during knee rehab: “You’ve just gotta keep pushing through” Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog has one contact in his phone who knows what he’s going through.

From @bennettdurando.bsky.social and me …

It’s been a long road for #Avs captain Gabe Landeskog. Thanks to an assist from an ex-Nuggets GM, Lonzo Ball has offered advice and support from his first-hand experience with the same surgery.

www.denverpost.com/2025/03/02/g...

Michael Porter Jr. discussed trade rumors tonight with sense of humor, said Nuggets FO reached out: "They said they love how I'm playing and to keep being aggressive, keep playing, and they have no desire to move me right now. But I also know that they wouldn't tell me if they wanted to move me."

NBA trade window: Do Nuggets want to trade Michael Porter Jr.? Would Zach LaVine help Denver? Perception of the 2024-25 Nuggets is turning into a case study in optimism vs. pessimism.

Breaking down the Nuggets’ limitations this trade season, what I’m hearing about where they stand on trading Michael Porter Jr., pursuing big names such as Zach LaVine:
www.denverpost.com/2024/12/18/z...

Thanks! But why would I have stopped watching the Border War game?

Nikola Jokic and Team Serbia won bronze at Paris Olympics, then the shirts came off: “We are going to get historically drunk” The following is an oral history of Aug. 10, the day Nikola Jokic and Serbia won bronze and enjoyed a party for the ages.

Stop what you’re doing and read this @bennettdurando.bsky.social oral history of the time the Serbian men’s Olympic basketball team got “historically drunk” in Paris. It’s so good. www.denverpost.com/2024/12/08/n...

Russell Westbrook on 200th career triple-double: “I’m truly grateful” Wearing a Denver Nuggets uniform and coming off the bench, Russell Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to 200 career triple-doubles Tuesday in Memphis.

With 15 years’ hindsight, Russell Westbrook has some nitpicks for his first career triple-double. He remembers the stat line: only 10 rebounds, 10 assists.

“I like a 17, 15 and 14 type of joint, personally,” he said.

200 of them will have that effect.
www.denverpost.com/2024/11/20/r...

Russell Westbrook after becoming the first player in NBA history to 200 career triple-doubles: “I’m truly grateful to be able to play the game long enough to be able to do that. But I’m also appreciative of the ones who came before me.”

Vlatko Cancar leaves Nuggets’ game with left knee sprain Vlatko Cancar missed the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL in the same knee that he sprained on Tuesday night during the Nuggets’ game at Memphis.

Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar, who returned this summer from left ACL tear, leaves game with sprained left knee www.denverpost.com/2024/11/19/v...

Asked Malone if any fear of re-torn ACL for Vlatko Cancar: "I haven't talked to our medical people. I checked on him at halftime obviously, and he was in good spirits. Wasn't in any pain. But I would hate to be premature w/ any speculation. ... It just felt a little uncomfortable when he came down."

Julian Strawther interviews Michael Porter Jr.

The Grizzlies just got offensive rebounds on free throws twice in the same possession, and Denver's lead is down to 115-108 with 2:17 left.

Well, the Nuggets went to their Peyton Watson at the 5 lineup seemingly to close out the game, but Watson just fouled out. So it's back to Dario Saric with 2:25 left.

Russell Westbrook is one rebound away from his 200th triple-double.

Dario Saric and Peyton Watson each seated with four fouls early in the second half now.

Don't look now, but Peyton Watson is up to 39.4% from three this season.

The Nuggets scored 68 points in a half without Nikola Jokic. Not bad.

A stat line you never thought you'd see: Michael Porter Jr. 18 points on 0-for-2 shooting from three.

Vlatko Cancar threw down a vicious dunk and immediately couldn't put weight on his left leg. Asked for a sub, looked like he was holding his knee. He missed all of last season with a torn left ACL.

Dario Saric came in to replace Vlatko Cancar and immediately picked up a pretty weak third third foul, which might've been earned by Taylor Jenkins who was giving the official an earful as Jamal Murray shot a free throw on the previous possession. So Vlatko returns to the table quickly for Saric.

Russ just took a charge for JJJ's third foul with 8:19 left in the second quarter.

Arena is still shaking from that Julian Strawther block.

Jamal Murray is still out of sync, but his teammates picked him up in that first quarter for a 31-24 lead. MPJ has 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting (all inside the arc!), Christian Braun has 9, Peyton Watson and Russell Westbrook were big time defensively. *Seven* different Nuggets had a steal in the Q.

Great sequence from Russ, with an effective close-out on Jay Huff's 3-point attempt sandwiched between two really nice assists for dunks. Then he gets a steal that leads to Christian Braun getting to the line in transition.

Much better game so far from Michael Porter Jr., whose 4-for-4 start includes a really tough layup through traffic and whose assist came in transition. Nuggets are letting him play with the ball in his hands a lot. As for Jamal Murray ... shot is still not falling as they try to spot him up.

Really strong first four minutes at the defensive end for Peyton Watson, who goes to the bench as Julian Strawther is Denver's first sub.

In other news, Trey Alexander is about to enter after this Grizzlies timeout.

Dario Saric knocks down a pick-and-pop 3 from Jamal Murray to start the rematch in Memphis.

Asked Michael Malone about Jay Huff's ascent in Memphis. He said any time players go to a new team from Denver, he roots for them. Praised Huff's 3-ball, finishing around rim and shot-blocking. "Looks really under control and poised out there. Making really good reads and good basketball decisions."

Nuggets need Jamal Murray to be more than facilitator with Nikola Jokic out, Michael Malone says Jamal Murray is not the Nuggets’ second-leading scorer through 12 games this season. How can Denver’s point guard get back in rhythm?

Michael Malone: “Jamal has gotta be a playmaker … and he’s gotta be a scorer for us. Because if it’s not him, you’re asking some really young players to try and carry a load they’re probably not ready to carry.”

Nuggets need more from Murray as a scorer w/o Jokic:
www.denverpost.com/2024/11/18/j...

Nikola Jokic has been ruled out again for Nuggets’ game in Memphis today.