Nuggets/NBA

I will make this farewell short and sweet.

People who truly know me are aware of my disdain for saying "good-bye." It just sounds too final.

March is lurking around the corner for the Nuggets. So are the red-hot Utah Jazz.

All around the Marbury bush . . . I better stop there. No need for references to monkeys and weasels.

Hit the brake -- or the panic button. Either one will do. The Nuggets haven't been playing so well lately.

If the Nuggets are about advancing to the second round of the playoffs this season, then they're on the right track.

If they're about reaching the Western Conference finals and having a legitimate shot at playing for the NBA championship, then the Nuggets ought to be players at the trade deadline.

Can you believe that this year, the Broncos will be playing their 50th season in professional football?

A long, long list of memorable moments have fallen into place for the Broncos over the years. And there are more to come in the next few weeks.

If I might be so bold to ask, flip the channel from "As the Broncos Turn" long enough to help find the NBA's "Mr. Ray-Way" in 2009.

This would be a guy in the league you're rooting for to win his first championship after more than 10 years in the NBA either as a player or head coach.

The Ray-Way Award is named for two former pro athletes in Denver.

A few days ago I asked Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups what made his most memorable Christmas memorable.

Billups told me about his green Incredible Hulk Big Wheel - one he might still be riding today if he could.

To be honest, I'm not sure what jumped out quicker on the television screen -- the player's diamond earrings or the bracelet on the reporter's right wrist.

It was bling at first sight.

For the record, Denver's Sports Ring of Shame is the result of some guys in our office tossing ideas around during a routine morning brainstorming session.

Then it was tossed to me. I'm off and running.

Notice the headline didn't say Nuggets trade Allen Iverson. Today's big trade should be about Chauncey Billups returning to Denver to stabilize the point guard position.

Nugget Fan, your team just got better.

Twenty-five years ago on this date, the Denver Nuggets played their first road game of the 1983-84 season against the San Diego Clippers. Denver lost 141-128.

That was 1983, when there was only one NBA team in Los Angeles, no NBA teams in Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Tennessee or Canada, and the Wizards were known as the Bullets in Washington.

A transcript of the Open Mic chat on Oct. 29.

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith told me two words caught his attention during the summer.

Not "shoot less" or "play defense" or "new contract."

It was worth the wee-hour viewing, seeing the live broadcast of the USA men's basketball team's 118-107 Olympic gold medal victory over Spain.

It's pretty easy to understand why Mike Krzyzewski has turned down offers to coach in the NBA. 'Coach K' is king of the hill at Duke University.