Report: Why Avalanche and Nuggets Parades Were Further Out of Reach Than Expected…
Contrary to earlier optimism, the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets were not as close to championship parades this summer as anticipated.
In early April, I suggested that having both teams in contention was the goal, a sentiment echoed by the players themselves. Unfortunately, both teams fell significantly short of expectations.
While we needn’t revisit the Avalanche’s devastating double-overtime loss or the Nuggets squandering a 20-point lead shortly after, it’s crucial to address what happened next.
In the NHL’s Western Conference Final, the Dallas Stars led 2-1 against the Edmonton Oilers after three games. Following their elimination of the Avalanche, many believed the Stars would clinch the Stanley Cup. Instead, the Stars experienced an unexpected collapse, losing three consecutive games to the Oilers and scoring only four goals in those matches. This mirrored the Avalanche’s struggles, who managed just three goals in their three home games against Dallas.
One might argue Dallas was fatigued, but perhaps Edmonton was simply superior. Many believed that if Colorado had beaten Dallas, they would have dominated Edmonton as they did in 2022. However, this year’s Avalanche team lacked the depth of their previous squad, falling short when it mattered most. The team also dealt with off-ice issues involving Valeri Nichushkin, and key players Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen didn’t perform to expectations against Dallas.
While the Avalanche’s window for success isn’t closed, it’s narrowing despite their returning talent.
In the NBA, there was a widespread belief that the winner of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series would become champions—a sentiment I also shared. However, this proved incorrect. The Dallas Mavericks convincingly defeated Minnesota in five games, including a decisive home win where they led by as much as 36 points, shocking Timberwolves fans.
Many Nuggets supporters thought that Nikola Jokic and his team would easily handle the Mavericks, but given Dallas’s performance against Minnesota, this assumption is questionable.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled against the Wolves, Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were likely more injured than realized, and the bench offered little support. For GM Calvin Booth, this offseason is critical. He needs to resolve Caldwell-Pope’s contract situation, prioritize retaining him if he enters free agency, and decide on Porter Jr.’s future with the team. Additionally, improving the bench is essential, with acquiring Bruce Brown from the Toronto Raptors as a potential move.
The losses of the Avalanche and Nuggets were a blow to a city accustomed to winning, made worse by the outcomes of their conquerors. There will be no solace in knowing they lost to the eventual champions. Personally, I hoped for victories from the Oilers and Mavericks for some validation. Instead, both our hockey and basketball teams were eliminated in Round 2, with their opponents falling just one series later.
This serves as a reminder for both front offices that significant changes might be necessary this summer.
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