Coming from where we come from, the fact we even get to debate the possible “end of an era” for the Nuggets is something to cherish. Thanks for this essay, Adam!
What a tremendous article! Great thoughts about the Nuggets, and hopefully they can figure out to continue to build a bench with a positive impact when Jokic isn't on the floor.
I wonder what defines the end and beginning of an era. I didn't think about that before, but your article got me thinking a lot about this.
"A remarkable era of municipal hospitality when many in the country were growing increasingly unfriendly to newcomers and a forgotten moment in recent Denver history, swallowed up by our memory of other events that have transpired since."
I definitely heard about efforts in Minnesota, especially with protests and efforts to protect neighbors. But, I don't think I remember hearing much about Denver (though I have been following news off and on due to burnout). So many horrible things have happened and continue to happen. But it warms my heart how Denver's residents were welcoming to asylum seekers and were so supportive also.
--
"But then I think back to 2000, and some kind of court decision involving a presidential election and what were they called, “hanging chads”? Seemed like it effectively decided a presidency, so kind of era-defining, that. When was the start of the democratic backsliding? It’s hard to say."
Great question. I'm not sure. A lot of problems, like gerrymandering (and other disenfranchisement policies), racial profiling, mass surveillance, etc. have persisted for many years. I too am not sure when the era began.
"While interesting, I think it best for pro-democracy folks to cast aside the sequels and just call it Next Reconstruction. Next provides both anticipation and the unfinished nature of the work. The struggle to prevent the concentration of power will never be over, and that is both a challenge and a gift.
We look back to look forward."
That makes sense to me. There is a lot of work to do, and the last year and a half have shown how fragile the checks and balances within are. And you're right that the struggle to prevent the concentration of power will never be over. Authoritarians and their allies will always try to find weaknesses and loopholes as well as continue to try to weaken and overturn laws, as you showed throughout your article.
And I love what you said: "We look back to look forward". So true. So much to learn from history, so many lessons to apply for a better, more just tomorrow.
--
"In the end-of-season press conference, Denver Nuggets President and Owner Josh Kroenke backed coach David Adelman and made clear that Jokić was safe. No changes there. Then he noted that such certainty could not be extended to any other player on the Denver Nuggets, saying “Continuity is a powerful thing. But change is also a powerful thing.”
End of an era? Hard to say."
Yeah, I don't know either. I'm a Kings fan, but I really wanted to see the Nuggets go all the way. I like Jokic and he's one of my favorite players in this era of basketball.
"But unlike past years, when one could always count on another level-up from Jokić, this coming season seems like it would be unwise to count that as a certainty." Sadly true. I really hope to see a level-up, but yeah, given his age, I can see why that's uncertain.
"How things change. People now cross continents to spend only a few hours watching the Denver Nuggets. I still remember seven-year-old me, suffering through that 11-71 season. He would never believe what I could tell him today.
What a different era we live in. I look forward to Next Season."
:) I'd love to visit Denver in the near-future, and one of the things I'd love to do most is to see a Nuggets game :).
And I love how you ended the article. :) I wish the best for the Nuggets.
And, I can only hope Next Season will be a better one for my Kings lol.
“Did the dinosaurs know it was their era?” made me grin out loud 🙌
Tric-era-tops
Coming from where we come from, the fact we even get to debate the possible “end of an era” for the Nuggets is something to cherish. Thanks for this essay, Adam!
I feel exactly the same way. And thank you for reading!!
Wow, such an original take on “era.”
Thank you!
What a tremendous article! Great thoughts about the Nuggets, and hopefully they can figure out to continue to build a bench with a positive impact when Jokic isn't on the floor.
Thank you for the kind words! And I agree about the bench!!
Excellent article, Adam!
I wonder what defines the end and beginning of an era. I didn't think about that before, but your article got me thinking a lot about this.
"A remarkable era of municipal hospitality when many in the country were growing increasingly unfriendly to newcomers and a forgotten moment in recent Denver history, swallowed up by our memory of other events that have transpired since."
I definitely heard about efforts in Minnesota, especially with protests and efforts to protect neighbors. But, I don't think I remember hearing much about Denver (though I have been following news off and on due to burnout). So many horrible things have happened and continue to happen. But it warms my heart how Denver's residents were welcoming to asylum seekers and were so supportive also.
--
"But then I think back to 2000, and some kind of court decision involving a presidential election and what were they called, “hanging chads”? Seemed like it effectively decided a presidency, so kind of era-defining, that. When was the start of the democratic backsliding? It’s hard to say."
Great question. I'm not sure. A lot of problems, like gerrymandering (and other disenfranchisement policies), racial profiling, mass surveillance, etc. have persisted for many years. I too am not sure when the era began.
"While interesting, I think it best for pro-democracy folks to cast aside the sequels and just call it Next Reconstruction. Next provides both anticipation and the unfinished nature of the work. The struggle to prevent the concentration of power will never be over, and that is both a challenge and a gift.
We look back to look forward."
That makes sense to me. There is a lot of work to do, and the last year and a half have shown how fragile the checks and balances within are. And you're right that the struggle to prevent the concentration of power will never be over. Authoritarians and their allies will always try to find weaknesses and loopholes as well as continue to try to weaken and overturn laws, as you showed throughout your article.
And I love what you said: "We look back to look forward". So true. So much to learn from history, so many lessons to apply for a better, more just tomorrow.
--
"In the end-of-season press conference, Denver Nuggets President and Owner Josh Kroenke backed coach David Adelman and made clear that Jokić was safe. No changes there. Then he noted that such certainty could not be extended to any other player on the Denver Nuggets, saying “Continuity is a powerful thing. But change is also a powerful thing.”
End of an era? Hard to say."
Yeah, I don't know either. I'm a Kings fan, but I really wanted to see the Nuggets go all the way. I like Jokic and he's one of my favorite players in this era of basketball.
"But unlike past years, when one could always count on another level-up from Jokić, this coming season seems like it would be unwise to count that as a certainty." Sadly true. I really hope to see a level-up, but yeah, given his age, I can see why that's uncertain.
"How things change. People now cross continents to spend only a few hours watching the Denver Nuggets. I still remember seven-year-old me, suffering through that 11-71 season. He would never believe what I could tell him today.
What a different era we live in. I look forward to Next Season."
:) I'd love to visit Denver in the near-future, and one of the things I'd love to do most is to see a Nuggets game :).
And I love how you ended the article. :) I wish the best for the Nuggets.
And, I can only hope Next Season will be a better one for my Kings lol.
Awesome article, Adam!
Thank you for reading!
Anytime, Adam! I enjoyed your article :) keep up the awesome work :).