The Nuggets won the NBA championship last season, but they won’t have their customary victory lap by visiting President Joe Biden at the White House.
On TNT Thursday night, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed why.
“The Denver Nuggets are prioritizing the No. 1 seed,” Haynes said.
“They’re doing everything they can to earn that spot for the playoffs.”
Haines noted that the Nuggets were originally scheduled to visit the White House in late January, but the Biden administration moved the date to March 18 due to “scheduling conflicts.”
However, the Nuggets were reportedly “concerned” that they were scheduled to play the current top seed, the Timberwolves, on the road the following night.
Haynes emphasized that the team did not decline for political reasons, but rather that it was a “basketball decision.”
It makes sense that the Nuggets would be especially eager to chase the top seed, as they have historically enjoyed a huge home court advantage, in part because they have grown accustomed to the mile-high atmosphere of Denver.
Nevertheless, Charles Barkley mocked the Nuggets for using this reason to avoid the visit.
“Are they flying southwest or something?” Barkley asked sarcastically on TNT. What’s covered in Awful Annunciation. “Come on, dude. Actually, I have a problem with this whole thing that’s been going on in the sports world, not just right now, but over the last few years. It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. Who’s in the White House? Shouldn’t be a problem. It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. You should always go. But they’re acting like they’re flying southwest.”
The Nuggets are 43-20, one game behind the Timberwolves and 0.5 games behind the Thunder.
