Digging Into Denver's Team Building and Progression with Seth Partnow

On the finale of Rainbow Skyline, Dave DuFour and Kendra Andrews say goodbye to the podcast, and look ahead to what's next. Whether you have listened once or to every episode, thank you all so much for supporting the Rainbow Skyline podcast. None of this would have been possible without your help. From Dave, Kendra and the rest of our Athletic staff, best wishes to all and go Nuggets!Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAFollow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sure, a larger number in the win column would be welcomed by Nuggets fans, but is the club right about where everyone expected them to be to begin the season, or are they off course? Dave and Kendra investigate that thought and compare it to the reality of Denver's current situation. What were the expectations for the defense early on (4:30)? What about performances from Nikola Jokic (10:00), Jamal Murray (12:00) and Michael Porter Jr. (14:30)? How about everyone else (18:30)?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAGet a subscription, gift a subscription! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas/Christmas Eve to all! Is there a gift receipt for Denver's loss to the Sacramento Kings in the season opener? Dave and Kendra share their reactions to the Nuggets first contest of the new season (:45). How concerning was Jamal Murray's performance, and Will Barton's night-in, night-out output is vital to this club's success (6:15). Dave and Kendra dish on their irrational takeaways from game one, including: P.J. Dozier is going to more important for Denver this season than Torrey Craig last year (14:00). Plus, the dynamite Denver duo preview the Nuggets' Christmas game against the Los Angeles Clippers (18:45).Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAGet a subscription, gift a subscription! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave DuFour and Kendra Andrews return to answer five of the biggest questions looming over the Denver Nuggets heading into the 2021 season. Chiefly, who will fill the void Jerami Grant left (1:45)? Could we see a rejuvenated Paul Millsap? Is a Millsap, JaMychal Green Zeke Nnaji rotation talented enough to recreate Grant's production from last season? Who will step up as the team's best defender (7:00)? Will the club be resigned to tasking Gary Harris with the most difficult matchup? Plus, Jamal Murray will no longer be hid on defense. Who do Dave and Kendra believe will comprise the starting lineup (12:00)? Is Michael Porter Jr. a for-sure regular? Who can we expect to impact the team off the bench? Though not a betting man, Dave believes Nikola Jokic has a puncher's chance of being a contender for MVP (14:15). Does the short turnaround to start the year bode well for Jokic? Lastly, what are the duo's expectation for Denver this year (19:15)?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAGet a subscription, gift a subscription! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We practice load management here on Rainbow Skyline, so with Dave and Kendra rested and back in the starting rotation, the duo address the Nuggets' most recent off-season moves, particularly, Jerami Grant's departure from Denver (1:00). What's the fallout of this key loss? Who does Denver see as a viable replacement, and why did Grant leave? After chatting about subtractions from the team, Dave and Kendra converse about additions and new faces within the organization (10:30). How will JaMychal Green be deployed within the confines of the offense and defense? How will Denver's other acquisitions be used? Lastly, the podcast pair key in on an important element within Denver's offense that may experience regression this year (16:30).Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAFollow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsJoin The Athletic for just $1 a month for an entire year! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline - by December 4th and experience the award-winning sports journalism and podcasting The Athletic offers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and Kendra are back from their post-NBA bubble vacations to breakdown Denver's 2021 NBA Draft haul! What are the Nuggets getting in draftees Zeke Nnaji and R.J. Hampton? Will they figure into the team's designs this season, or are they more developmental projects? The duo also preview the upcoming free agency period and key in on targets that would help Denver...including Facundo Campazzo (the signing would come included with Campazzo stan, Dave.)Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAFollow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave and Kendra welcome The Athletic's Seth Partnow to today's program to explore Denver's next steps on their road to becoming a Finals contender. The trio broadly tackle what advancements Denver needs to make in order to improve (3:00) before keying in on Jerami Grant, who was crucial to the team's Western Conference Finals run in the bubble and, potentially, future endeavors (6:30). The triumvirate consider the Nuggets' position if Grant decides to sign with another team (8:45). What other options are available? Would Michael Porter Jr. slide into the starting rotation? Is he equipped to handle that role? Could we see a potential trade the ships both Porter Jr. and a teammate out of the Mile High for another complementary piece (14:15)? Is it finally time for Denver to unleash Bol Bol on a regular basis (18:30)? Plus, what's Paul Millsap, Mante Morris and P.J. Dozier's future with the club (23:15)?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAFollow Seth on Twitter: @SethPartnowJoin The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are Denver's top off-season priorities coming off the heels of a Western Conference Finals appearance? Dave and Kendra analyze team needs and who is worth retaining, like Jerami Grant (1:30). Will Paul Millsap return and if so, it would have to be at a less expense rate...right (3:30)? For all his incredible defensive showings in the bubble, Gary Harris is remains an undersized wing defender. What can the Nuggets do to improve their backcourt depth, particularly as it relates to defense (6:45)? Could Tim Connelly and Calvin Booth make a big splash free agent signing and/or trade during this downtime (12:45)? Are versatile scorers like Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre obtainable? What would it cost to land difference maker that could catapult this team into NBA Finals contention?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAJoin The Athletic for just $1 a month. Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave DuFour and Kendra Andrews welcome special guest, Tim Connelly, Denver Nuggets' president of basketball operations, to Rainbow Skyline! The trio address the most important topic for any Northeasterner (Connelly's from Maryland), what's the best crab chip brand? Moving on to less pressing matters, the group gabs about Denver's playoff bubble run; what the next step is in the club's title-contending aspirations; if Denver can be an attractive destination for premiere free agents; Connelly and Denver's front office's thought process when drafting Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as well as Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol despite injury concerns, and did the Nuggets brain trust expect this squad to improve as fast as they have?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAJoin The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailing once again, three games to one, in the Western Conference Finals. the Denver Nuggets have their backs against the wall. But maybe they wouldn't have it any other way? Dave and Kendra breakdown WCF game 4 and react to Nikola Jokic's underwhelming performance, the rebound disparity and more (:30). What are the Nuggets chances in game five (9:00)? Is it time to insert Michael Porter Jr. into the starting lineup (10:00)? Lastly, will we see another history return from the brink by Denver (15:15)?Follow Kendra on Twitter: @kendra_andrewsFollow Dave on Twitter: @DaveDuFourNBAExperience award-winning journalism like never before! Be a part of The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/rainbowskyline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.