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They come to bury Joker, not to praise him. The last time a line this long queued up to place wreaths on a defending champion, Winston Churchill lay in state. “They’re up-and-coming, they’ve got a bunch of great players,” Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson told reporters in advance of Saturday’s Western Conference semifinal Game 1 between Denver and the Timberwolves.

Two decades later, Luther Elliss’ voice still lifts as he thinks back to that phone call to his parents. The longtime NFL defensive tackle played nine seasons in Detroit. Made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1999 and 2000. Anchored the interior for the Lions week after week, year after year. For Elliss, though, not many moments from his decorated career stand the test of time like the conclusion of his March 2004 free agency. “People ask, like, ‘What’s your biggest takeaway and what do you remember the most?’” Elliss told The Denver Post recently.

The celebrity cameo on the early-morning bus didn’t get any less surprising after the first time. In fact, it became even more so, once Christian Braun realized it was a trend and not a one-time occurrence. Optional shootarounds are only optional for a select few. “It’s always mandatory for the first-, second-, third-year guys,” Braun said.

It is easier to dethrone the King than step on the Ant. This represents a delightful development for the NBA as the playoffs move into the second round. The Nuggets vanquished LeBron James, setting up a matchup with the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and superstar Anthony Edwards. The NBA remains as popular as its stars.

As the Denver Nuggets enter the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, a breakdown of their series matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves: Who has the edge? Guards: If Jamal Murray is healthy and hot, he can keep pace with any scoring guard in the NBA. But he might not be either of those things right now.

Following the Black & Gold spring game on Saturday at Folsom Field, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders gave a glowing assessment of the offensive line. “Protection, commitment,” he said of the group. “We’re able to run the ball, throw the ball, but, you know, that’s against our own players. No one loses in the spring.