The Denver Gazette

WHAT I’M HEARING

Media day comes with no shortage of quotes. Here are some of the most notable from Monday’s press conferences at Ball Arena:

“If we had — or when we have — a practice facility that can have two courts, we’ll be staying here in Denver, training at altitude,” Malone said. The Nuggets will instead travel to San Diego this week.

Michael Porter Jr. answered a series of questions about his recovery from a third back surgery. He doesn’t seem to believe he needs much load management this season. “I would prefer to play. I don’t think taking a careful route with players is the way to go, but you definitely want to be smart. … I don’t think skipping games is the way to save your body. You got to respect the game. You should play when you can play and help your team win as many games as possible.” The Nuggets said they’ll be smart in handling both Porter and Jamal Murray as they work their way back from injury.

“We all know I’m here for defense,” Bruce Brown said. “Offense will take care of itself.” Malone said people are underestimating a player like Brown’s importance to the team.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed a contract extension in the days following his trade from Washington to Denver. He made it sound like a pretty simple decision for both sides: “I wanted to be here. They want me here, so what’s the wait?” Caldwell-Pope is under contract for the next two seasons with a player option for the 2024-25 season.

Zeke Nnaji said he’s carrying an extra 10 pounds of muscle heading into the season but doesn’t see himself as a center. “I think I’m best and most comfortable at the 4. That just allows me to be more of a versatile player, I feel like, and utilize my talents to the fullest as a four.”

“Man, there are a lot of cameras in here,” Christian Braun, a rookie out of Kansas who grew up in the Sunflower State, answered when asked about his NFL fandom. The good news for Denver fans is Braun did not claim the Chiefs as his team and added Christian McCaffrey is one of his favorite players. The bad news for Broncos country is Braun rides with Tom Brady.

NBA

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2022-09-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.denvergazette.com/article/282046215971637

The Gazette, Colorado Springs