Spoken Word Script: Denver’s First Dynasty

Originally delivered on April 24th, 2024 in Think Shank’s breakdown of Game 2 of the first round Western Conference playoff series between Denver and Los Angeles where Jamal Murray landed a buzzer beater for the win after his team trailed for nearly all of regulation.

NBA strategy & stats are fun, but tonight made me reflect on how much moments matter too. We never notice the tectonic shifts surrounding us until an earthquake after all...

—

This win. This win right here. This win left Nuggets fans more speechless than anyone. Why? It was the precious, precarious, awe-inspiring moment of reaching the competitive summit. There is no more climbing left. No more indignation. No more ascension.

Now, there is only prosperous preservation and the constant quest for longevity. Wins can still be losses. Losses are failures. Deficits, even when dire, are just pranks by puppeteers working the scoreboard.

At last, my Nuggets, the time has come to shed the underdog shell that you've thrashed around inside of for so long. The suffocating scarlet letter of mid-market teams.

Tomorrow, you get to start a new script for your headlining role in the latest act of league history: Denver's First Dynasty.