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NBA-champion Denver Nuggets pass on visiting Joe Biden’s White House because they’re ‘prioritizing the playoff race’… but Charles Barkley isn’t buying it: ‘You should go, but these guys act like they’re flying Southwest’

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NBA-champion Denver Nuggets pass on visiting Joe Biden’s White House because they’re ‘prioritizing the playoff race’… but Charles Barkley isn’t buying it: ‘You should go, but these guys act like they’re flying Southwest’


  • The Denver Nuggets were scheduled to visit the White House on March 18
  • But with Denver scheduled to play Minnesota on the 19th, the visit was canceled
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

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The Denver Nuggets are skipping the customary White House visit for reigning NBA champions, but they’re not making a political statement against the Biden Administration.

Instead, as TNT NBA insider Chris Haynes reported, Denver is simply focused on securing the top seed for the Western Conference Playoffs. They currently sit one game behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder at 43-20.

‘The Denver Nuggets are prioritizing that No. 1 seed,’ Haynes said. ‘They’re really trying to do all that they can to get into that spot heading into the playoffs.’

The Nuggets were originally supposed to visit the White House in January, but a scheduling conflict with the administration pushed the visit back to March 18 before Denver pulled out altogether this week.

Denver is scheduled to face the second-place Timberwolves on March 19 in Minneapolis.

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Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver’s top stars, are from Serbia and Canada, respectively 

TNT’s Charles Barkley, however, wasn’t buying the excuse.

‘Are they flying Southwest or something?’ Barkley joked. ‘Come on, man. I actually have a problem with this whole thing that’s happened in sports the last few years, not just now.

‘It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. It shouldn’t matter who’s in the White House. It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. You should always go. But these guys act like they’re flying Southwest.’

American professional and collegiate sports teams are traditionally welcomed to the White House after winning their respective championships, but that custom has come under fire in recent years.

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Barkley wasn't buying the Nuggets' excuse and said it's an honor to go to the White House

Barkley wasn’t buying the Nuggets’ excuse and said it’s an honor to go to the White House

Detroit Pistons power forward Rasheed Wallace once said he didn’t have ‘s*** to say’ to then-President George W. Bush before the reigning NBA champs’ White House visit in 2005. 

Ultimately, though, Wallace and Bush shared a nice moment on stage when the 6-foot-11 NBA star introduced his daughter to POTUS.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas skipped the customary visit in 2012 over his disdain for then-President Barack Obama.

But things really became contentious between athletes and the White House during the Trump Administration.

President Biden is presented with a jersey while hosting the Astros to celebrate their 2022  title

President Biden is presented with a jersey while hosting the Astros to celebrate their 2022  title

When Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry publicly admitted he didn’t want to go in 2017, Donald Trump then rescinded the offer to the team, igniting a war of words in the process.

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At the time, LeBron James rushed to Curry’s defense on Twitter (now X), writing, ‘U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!’

A year later, James told reporters: ‘No one wants an invite anyway.’

Things have returned to normal in the Biden years, with customary White House visits resuming for respective league champions – that is, until the Nuggets declined the invitation this week.

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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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Denver area events for March 5

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Denver area events for March 5


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Thursday Camilla Vaitaitis Quartet — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events. Miguel — 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, […]



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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back


The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.

Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.

“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.

Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.

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The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.



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