Author: Vinny Benedetto
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Jamal Murray’s 30-point performance leads Denver Nuggets to 3-1 start to preseason | Vinny’s take
It’s just the preseason, but the Nuggets have their first win streak of the season. Here are three takeaways from Denver’s third consecutive win, a 124-117 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday at Ball Arena. 1. Jamal Murray continued to look ready to change the narrative surrounding his slow starts to seasons. Murray scored 10…
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How Cam Johnson’s basketball brain can meld with Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
An unorthodox Easter Sunday in 2014 changed the course of Cam Johnson’s basketball career. As it is remembered by Jamie Dixon, the University of Pittsburgh coach at the time, Johnson was a senior at nearby Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School in Coraopolis, Pa. The local prospect had scholarship offers from Ivy League…
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Denver Nuggets play starters for three quarters, improve to 2-1 in preseason | Vinny’s take
The Nuggets’ ramp-up process continued Sunday in Los Angeles. Denver’s starters played regular minutes through three quarters and watched the reserves increase the lead in the Nuggets’ improved to 2-1 in the preseason. Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 102-94 win over the Clippers at Intuit Dome. 1. That was another step toward Denver’s dress…
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Why Denver’s dialed-up defense might wait until regular season for debut | Nuggets notebook
The wait to see the Nuggets’ defensive changes might require a couple more weeks. Throughout the preseason, Denver’s players and coaches have spoken about a more aggressive and physical approach coordinated by first-year assistant Jared Dudley. Last season, the Thunder won a championship behind the league’s best defensive rating, 107.5, while NBA Finals qualifier Indiana…
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Julian Strawther’s desired role with Denver Nuggets again comes down to defense
For all that’s changed with the Nuggets — new coach, new personnel, new defensive strategy, to name a few — Julian Strawther finds himself in a familiar spot. Heading into his third NBA season, Strawther is again on the verge of an every-night role. First-year coach David Adelman was still determining how many guys will…
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Evaluating Denver Nuggets’ key newcomers’ preseason performances | NBA Insider
Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room: NBA Insider There’s still a couple of weeks for things to change, but the four newcomers in Denver’s first and second unit seem to have pretty clearly defined roles. Here’s what the one new starter and three second-unit…
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Denver Nuggets’ momentum stalls in loss to Timberwolves in preseason opener | Vinny’s take
The vibes were high to start the Nuggets’ stay in San Diego, but things didn’t end that way. Denver started its five-game preseason slate with a 126-116 loss to a shorthanded Timberwolves squad. Here are three takeaways from the Nuggets’ first preseason game: 1. There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Nuggets’ new-look starting…
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Aaron Gordon heats up his ‘clay’ in hopes of increasing availability for Denver Nuggets
LA JOLLA, Calif. – Heat can both make clay more malleable and more solid depending on the temperature, and Aaron Gordon spent the summer sweating in hopes of becoming more flexible and sturdier. “Aaron just always seems like he’s clay. He just changes every year, whatever you need him to be,” Nuggets coach David Adelman…
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Jamal Murray, David Adelman impressed by starters’ progress to start Denver Nuggets’ preseason
LA JOLLA, Calif. – There’s the usual rust that’s often present during preseason, but the Nuggets’ slightly tweaked starting lineup hit its stride on the second day of training camp. “Just beginning, but what’s beginning looks dangerous and impactful,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said of his starters after Wednesday’s practice at UC San Diego. “(There’s)…
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Excitement overrides Nikola Jokic’s flared-up wrist on first day of Denver Nuggets training camp
LA JOLLA, Calif. – Nikola Jokic provided reassurance to Nuggets nation for a second consecutive day. After stating that he wanted to be with the Nuggets “forever” during his media day press conference Monday at Ball Arena, Jokic walked over to the media scrum assembled after Tuesday’s first training camp practice at UC San Diego…