I’m pleasantly surprised by how the second unit looks together. They look more complete than last season.

He can defend and shoot, it’s so hype watching him dish out blocks. A 6'10" guy who can space the floor and protect the rim is exactly what we need.

Do we have a post game thread yet for the preseason game vs the Jazz? Want to hear everyone’s thoughts on the various rotations and new players.

"Booth Boys" era is over; welcome to the Redeem Team era.

I was bummed out when I realized Peyton Watson wouldn't be a Nugget this year. He was my favorite player to watch. Loved his handle. Loved his defense. How he sells out. In a weird way, he was like the defensive version of Ja Morant — just launching his body into chaotic airspace with spectacular results. To my mind, he was the perfect defensive counter to both Wemby and Shai, and I liked to daydream about a Kawhi-esque breakthrough in the playoffs.

So … if anyone has any reason to doubt this year's squad, it should be me.

But —

I'm coming around. I think I really love this year's team. David Adelman's media day messaging: fuck you! We're good! We had a bad ten games at the end of last season. Move on. I love that. Like … they actually believe they could have beaten OKC or San Antonio. If they'd had their full squad.

I also love the message from the front office. Yes, sure. We lost Peyton Watson, but we got the assets we asked for, so we're cool … plus we got more athletic in other areas. I'm willing to give them the chance to prove they know what they're doing. I mean … I wouldn't have let P-Wat walk. But … I'm just a guy sitting on a couch trying to watch basketball. Odds are they know more about it than I do. And one thing I know for sure: I don't know of any Nuggets player (Non-Center) who's left this roster in the last 10 years and had people suddenly go OMG, what a hidden gem! Why didn't more people see how amazing Gary Harris is? Or Bruce Brown? Or KCP? (Again... centers don't count.)

The media glommed onto the "everything but Joker is on the table" talking point — but I think it's disingenuous to act like last year's bench was FAR superior to this year's. Simulate the two squads and it's probably a draw. Who's to say Tyus Jones, DeMar DeRozan, Marvin Bagley, Cam Whitmore, and Lonnie Walker don't beat Jalen Pickett, P-Wat, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Valanciunas more often than not?

If you or me or anyone had the option of letting Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon return to form for one more title run, you'd do it too. It's basically a no-brainer. … I mean, that's what I love about this season. We're back in the underdog position. Last year our season hinged on AG's hamstrings. This year it's AG's hamstrings and CB's foot. BUT! … These guys have the potential to be freaking awesome. And they deserve the chance to show they can get that one next chip.

I like it. The coach and the front office think they can do it. Let's give it a shot. For all the haters this year — there were just as many pundits tripping over their dicks to praise the Cam Johnson signing last year. But really ... not much has changed. I don't remember a single podcaster at the start of last season saying, well, just so long as P-Wat is a 15-point-per-game scorer, we'll be able to compete.

So what changed? People act like this team has descended into mediocrity. But what if … Marvin Bagley is the best backup center Jokic has ever had? Supposedly ... Valanciunas was "the best backup Jokic ever had." But Big Val had the same defensive liabilities Joker has. Which might contribute to guys like P-Wat and Aaron Gordon breaking down. Maybe. I don't remember Big Val helping any in the Minnesota series. What if that lack of stylistic diversity is actually a major weakness over a seven-game series? Who's to say? Marvin Bagley might just be a guy who's been waiting to make his name as winning player -- this could be the perfect fit.

And what if … Cam Whitmore is a stud? One of the reasons I was so upset about losing P-Wat is that — outside of AG's first couple years here — we've never had a super-duper athlete in his prime. But wouldn't it be cool if Denver engineered a redemption story for someone like Cam Whitmore … or Lonnie Walker … or Alpha Diallo? I like that there's a bunch of diverse wing athletes from different backgrounds who are highly motivated to be champion-level role players.

It used to drive me crazy watching teams like the Heat or the Spurs grab guys like Shane Battier or Boris Diaw. Guys who needed the chance to star in their role, as the saying goes. Maybe we're done with the "Booth Boys" era and we're launching into the peak era of Joker's undeniable gravity — he's the planet around which amazing role players orbit.

Missed the pre season game

Is it too early to start getting excited about CB?