What You Need To Know Before Nuggets Media Day and Training Camp
Changes, adaptations, and continuity
Nuggets media day is Monday, September 29th. Media day isn’t just meeting with the media; that’s actually a pretty small part of it. Measurements are taken, there’s a ton of photos for official team photos, the jumbotron graphic packages, and social media, and then later there are team meetings before the team heads to San Diego for camp.
Media day has evolved a lot since I arrived in Denver back in 2012. The old format saw players come out to a variety of tables on the practice courts with open scrums. That allowed for actual conversations with the players and some light back and forth.
Now, everything is done at the podium, broadcast to the NBA app. The NBA basically never wants to risk missing any viral moment. It’s a shame because the end result means fewer and worse questions for the players in an environment where they are most relaxed at any time until the season ends.
But the content machine’s endless maw must keep consuming, and it will be fed.
Here are some of the biggest questions, some predictions, and some observations headed into Monday’s media day.
JON WALLACE AND BEN TENZER (AND JOSH KROENKE?)
The new kids on the block had a sensational summer after telling us they weren’t going to do much.
Did they know the whole time they were going to turn the roster over, or did that really come about as as the Porter Jr. trade opportunity arose?
There’s still one full-time roster spot open. Will the team keep that open, and do they think it eventually has to be filled with a point guard?
Josh Kroenke might make an appearance, and if he does, we’ll have to ask for any update on a potential practice facility.
DAVID ADELMAN
Will Adelman continue the practice of staggering Jamal Murray with the second unit?
With a lot of new assistants, how much new stuff are they going to try and install in camp?
Where does he anticipate Cam Johnson having the biggest impact?
Where does Peyton Watson make the most sense from a position or role standpoint on this team?
Is Adelman set to continue his approach last season that “whoever gives us the best chance to win will play?” Last season that approach meant that sometimes the departed Russell Westbrook wouldn’t play. Does that mean the same for the beloved returning Bruce Brown or backup center Jonas Valanciunas?
NIKOLA JOKIC
The only real question I think that’s interesting for Jokic is whether he feels differently at age 30 about his endurance and if he needs more time off. But also if I ask him that his eyes will roll through the back of his head so hard that the cringe will actually carry through the air like telekinesis and crush my head.
Jokic is never moved by offseason moves or how good a team is on paper. For him, it’s always “well, we’ll see.” Any deviation from that will be notable.
A fun question is whether Jokic will be there for the start or if he’ll be late since he’s literally had his plan arrive the day of before. Have I mentioned he prefers his home country of Serbia?
REST OF THE ROSTER
I’m largely over the Jamal Murray muscle watch. Murray being in great shape doesn’t guarantee he won’t get injured, nor did his previous conditioning necessarily lead to those previous injuries.
Cam Johnson is obviously going to be the star as the new starter.
Valanciunas discussing all the drama this offseason should be something.
I’m maybe most interested in hearing from Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther about their summers.
TRAINING CAMP
Training camp returns to San Diego this year. I’ll be on the ground for a few days bringing you updates from whatever we’re able to gleam.
There is typically a dinner once they get in for camp, and that often times sets the tone for the season.
First day of camp is usually just conditioning and basic concepts, no real install. Day two through four are installing actual new systems and are when we’ll usually see some sort of injury pop up.
First preseason game is on October 4th, a week from this writing. And then we’re off and running.
What do you want to find out from training camp and media day?