The Denver Nuggets yearning for triumph remained unsatisfied tonight. Since their 2023 title conquest, the Nuggets have found it tricky to navigate past the postseason. They did push the West’s best team, Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games. However, they were all spent by the time the do-or-die situation came. Now as a franchise they are left wondering, is it time for a change in their dynamics?

According to Jamal Murray, the Nuggets’ title window is not closed. “100%. just came up short tonight. Um, get back in the gym and and get back to it for next year,” he says about their core. The franchise cornerstone isn’t on the same page. Nikola Jokic doesn’t have a future outlook. His way of assessing their competitive ability is by judging their present position. So for now, the Joker isn’t a believer that their core is still championship worthy.

“I mean we didn’t. So obviously we can’t. If we could, we will win it. So um I don’t believe in those if if stuff. So we had the opportunity and we didn’t win,” the three-time MVP shared his thoughts.

What became evident is the Nuggets can’t win by having to slog their way through the postseason. Having faced two seven games series, they didn’t have any gas left in the tank against a ferocious and physical team like the Thunder. Errors happened in plenty and they lost their cohesiveness which has been a huge reason for their success.

But not everybody views the situation like Nikola Jokic. Similar to Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon was able to look forward. Even he feels the Nuggets aren’t a story of the past despite their recent shortcomings.

“Absolutely. Um, confidence doesn’t waver. A couple plays here and there could have changed the series. Yeah, my confidence doesn’t waver. I have full confidence in everybody in that locker room that we can uh do what we need to do and get it done,” he says of their championship potential.

At least against the Thunder, the Nuggets entered the series wounded. Michael Porter Jr. is carrying a shoulder injury while Gordon waded himself to play tonight despite a hamstring injury. Under ideal conditions, they could have put up a greater challenge to the Thunder. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Nuggets are a complete team.

Having lost some major pieces from their championship squad, some offseason moves might move the needle. And another part of their journey is now adjusting to their new coach. Currently, the team still hasn’t decided on whether a new head coach will take the helm next season.

Nuggets players advocate for David Adelman

Just three games before the postseason began, the Nuggets saw a massive shift. The franchise let go of Michael Malone, leaving interim head coach David Adelman to collect the pieces. In his short time, Adelman delivered on the expectations. According to Jokic, “he changed the energy,” of the team, helping them during a time of uneasiness.

While the Nuggets are yet to make a decision, Adelman has managed to create a great impression among the top guys within the Nuggets.

Even Jamal Murray advocated for him to remain the head coach beyond his short stint. Not only did he think Adelman did a “great job”, but he also commended his teammates. “We had to stay together,” he said. And Adelman played a huge role in revitalizing the Nuggets from that situation.

That’s why Aaron Gordon wants him to have a fair chance at working as the head coach. The explosive forward felt motivated during his short time as the head coach and even enjoyed one of his best postseasons. Hence, he wants to see the Nuggets reward David Adelman.

“I love DA. I hope he’s here next year. I hope he’s our coach. I hope he gets an entire training camp um and and a whole offseason and a whole training camp to uh figure out uh his philosophy, you know. Um, DA in Orlando. We have DA here. Um, DA is great. He’s excellent for us and I hope that he’s here next year,” said the Nuggets forward.

The franchise will take some time to make a decision for the future. There are several things on the agenda they need to address. But as far as winning the confidence of the players, David Adelman has done his j0b. And with a suitable roster and appropriate time, maybe he could pick up from where Malone left.