Nuggets Experience Internal Drama Amid Championship Pursuit

It’s no secret that NBA Championship teams often deal with their share of internal struggles. In the case of the Denver Nuggets, the tension between general manager Calvin Booth and head coach Mike Malone became apparent after the team won the championship in 2023. Their conflict seemed to intensify following the passing of Champang.

Building a roster has proven tough for the Nuggets, especially with the new financial limitations imposed by ownership and the ongoing constraints from the CBA. Players like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green were the first to depart, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaving a year later. Booth’s and Malone’s differing strategies further complicated the scenario—Booth favored playing the younger, drafted talent, while Malone leaned on the experienced veterans signed in free agency.

This standoff reportedly created a stressful environment throughout the organization. Ultimately, both Booth and Malone were let go just three games into the 2025 regular season. It was a surprising decision at the time, yet it quickly became clear that it was what Denver needed to breathe new life into the franchise.

Fast forward to the playoffs, and the Nuggets found themselves heading to another Game 7 following their victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-107, in Game 6 of the second round. Nikola Jokic shone with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, but the win wouldn’t have happened without the contributions of the younger players.

Game 6 will likely be remembered as the “Julian Strawther game.” Strawther exploded for eight points in just 90 seconds at the start of the fourth quarter. He had only seen 34 minutes of action in the series prior to this, and his role had diminished since February. His ability to provide shooting and spacing was crucial, essentially rescuing the Nuggets’ season.

Strawther represented a key part of Denver’s “two-timeline” approach, being selected 29th overall from Gonzaga in 2023. The Nuggets needed more shooting around Jokic, and Strawther had the capability to deliver, boasting a 40.8% three-point shooting percentage during his junior year at Gonzaga, including a few unforgettable March Madness moments.

Oddly enough, his performance did not transfer seamlessly to the NBA; he struggled as a 33.2% three-point shooter and faced defensive challenges typical for many young offensive players. He didn’t make much of an impact in rebounding or playmaking, either.

With Strawther’s inconsistency, the Nuggets finished at the bottom of the league in three-point shooting percentage this season. Yet when he actually took those shots, Denver was efficient, hitting 37.6%, which ranked them fifth in the league. The volume of shots he could create was crucial.

In what turned out to be a pivotal moment, Strawther sealed the game with four free throws and another three-pointer. Somewhere, Booth must have been pleased. A small sample from the playoffs can really shift the narrative.

The Nuggets displayed a resilient championship mentality during this series, despite having a less-than-ideal roster. The Thunder, who boasted the best record in the regular season with 68 wins and the league’s top defense, came in as favorites. Nevertheless, the Nuggets managed to elevate their defense and execute in crucial moments, leveling the series.

With Jokic leading the charge, his status as the best player in the NBA is hard to deny. But it seems that now, more than ever, having depth and the right fit around superstars is key. Both Christian Brown and Strawther stepped up in Game 6, alleviating some pressure off Jokic. Now, as the Nuggets prepare for this intense Game 7, the memory of their championship aspirations hangs in the balance.

Denver needed Strawther to deliver all season long, and he finally showed up at a critical juncture in his NBA career.