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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

8 Broncos in Line for a Pro Bowl Nod

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8 Broncos in Line for a Pro Bowl Nod


On Monday, fan voting opened up for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games. Fans are now able to vote online, with social media voting to start December 9.

The Pro Bowl Games replaced the original Pro Bowl, in which players demonstrate skills and take part in flag football, as opposed to a regular football game as in years past. But as with past seasons, the rosters will be determined by a combination of player, head coach and fan votes.

Regardless of what one thinks about the importance of the Pro Bowl, the Denver Broncos have multiple players who have cases to make the AFC roster. Let’s take a look at those players in order of the likelihood who could make the final roster.

The Broncos’ No. 1 cornerback should have no problem making the cut. PS2 continues to play at a high level, with three interceptions on the year, along with consistent play in containing or shutting down the top wide receiver he faces.

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Surtain is a top contender for Defensive Player of the Year and should now be recognized throughout the league as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, if not the best corner, period.

Meinerz has established himself as one of the better offensive guards in the NFL. In 10 games, the fourth-year player has allowed just one sack (not including Week 12) and committed just one holding penalty while becoming arguably the best player on a quality offensive line.

Meinerz hasn’t received much recognition outside of Denver for his first three seasons, even after a strong 2023 season. However, more people should be aware of his play now and that should translate to a bigger push for him to get his first Pro Bowl nod.

After a quiet rookie season in 2022, which was followed by mostly coming off the bench in 2023, Bonitto is having a breakout season. He currently ranks third in the NFL with 10 sacks, tied with Myles Garrett and trailing Trey Hendrickson and Danielle Hunter.

To be up there with elite players like Hendrickson, Hunter and Garrett says a lot about Bonitto’s play. It should hopefully be enough for Bonitto to overcome what might be a lack of name recognition and get his first Pro Bowl selection.

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Bolles is another reason why the Broncos offensive line has played so well. Two seasons removed from a broken leg, Bolles is having one of his best seasons as a pro.

Not including Week 12, Bolles has allowed just one sack this season. He has been called for 10 penalties, which might not help his case, but his overall play could be enough to get his second Pro Bowl berth.

Nix is not just in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year — he’s building himself a case for the Pro Bowl. A ratio of 16 touchdowns to six interceptions should certainly help his cause, plus five more scores (four rushing/one receiving).

However, Nix has two MVP candidates to deal with in the AFC: Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Also, Joe Burrow has thrown 27 touchdowns with just four picks, despite the Bengals’ losing record. Still, Nix could be in line for first alternate if he keeps playing well.

What happens next on the Broncos beat? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

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Allen continues to be a consistent playmaker for the Broncos. He has five sacks with 21 quarterback hits and 28 pressures in 11 games.

Allen’s problem is there are quite a few defensive linemen playing well in the AFC. He’s had a Pro Bowl-worthy season, but he’ll have to beat out some other worthy players.

Jones had a tough task in replacing fan favorite and previous Pro Bowl selection Justin Simmons. However, Jones has risen to the occasion, with two interceptions and multiple pass breakups.

The issue with Jones may be name recognition. Other safeties tend to dominate the conversation more and will probably get the nod. But Jones has a case to be the latest Broncos safety to make the Pro Bowl.

Sutton has 57 receptions for 744 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. While those numbers may not stand out in the NFL as a whole, he ranks high when you only look at AFC receivers (which he’s competing against for a Pro Bowl spot).

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Among AFC receivers only, Sutton currently ranks third in the AFC in receiving yards, fourth in touchdowns, and third in receptions. The better receivers in the NFL have been in the NFC this year, save for Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns.

While Sutton might be a long shot to make the Pro Bowl, you can’t rule him out given where he ranks in the AFC field.

Follow Denver Broncos On SI/Mile High Huddle on X and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!





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Denver, CO

Trump Border Czar: I’ll Throw Denver Resistance Mayor in Jail

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Trump Border Czar: I’ll Throw Denver Resistance Mayor in Jail


President-elect Donald Trump’s “border czar” claimed Monday that he will throw the mayor of Denver, Colorado in prison if his city resists Trump’s efforts to deport millions of immigrants from the United States.

“Me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing: he’s willing to go to jail, I’m willing to put him in jail,” Tom Homan said in an appearance on Fox News’ Hannity.

Homan was responding to an interview last week in which Mayor Mike Johnston told Denverite he would summon local police to block federal forces mobilized by Trump to round up immigrants.

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He also suggested the community would rise up against them.

“More than us having [the Denver Police Department] stationed at the county line to keep them out, you would have 50,000 Denverites there,” Johnston said.

“It’s like the Tiananmen Square moment with the rose and the gun, right? You’d have every one of those Highland moms who came out for the migrants. And you do not want to mess with them.”

Johnston added that he would explore the creation of city work authorizations if Trump follows through on a pledge to block immigrants from working.

His remarks immediately became fodder for conservative cable news and MAGA sycophants like Elon Musk, who tweeted, “The mayor of Denver hates his constituents.”

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During an appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) accused the mayor of advocating for a “form of insurrection.”

Johnston later softened his stance on city police blocking federal agents, but reiterated his support for mass protests against any deportation efforts.

Homan, meanwhile, pledged to have federal officers carry out deportations, no matter what Johnston thinks.

“I don’t know what the hell’s going on in Denver, but we are going to go fix it,“ he said. ”If he don’t want to fix it, if he don’t want to protect his communities, President Trump and ICE will.”

Homan is a rough and tumble former Border Patrol agent who led the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on an acting basis under Trump from January 2017 to June 2018.

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He was not confirmed by the United States Senate, while his new role doesn’t require confirmation.

During Trump’s second term in office, he will be in charge of the U.S. land and sea borders, including the enforcement of the President-elect’s pledge to mass deport millions of people with the use of federal or even military personnel.



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Denver, CO

Warren Village affordable housing complex welcomes first Denver residents

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Warren Village affordable housing complex welcomes first Denver residents


Warren Village affordable housing complex welcomes first Denver residents – CBS Colorado

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Warren Village’s new affordable housing complex includes 89 units on Alameda Avenue and Pecos Street in Denver.

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