The 2022-23 Denver Nuggets as essential holiday dishes

Nov 25, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone (left) and center DeAndre Jordan react in the second half against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone (left) and center DeAndre Jordan react in the second half against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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The Denver Nuggets have found something special this holiday season with the welcome additions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown along with the long-awaited return of the Blue Arrow and MPJ. Add in a dash of Aaron Gordon and the back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic and you have a recipe for wins that should last through the winter.

Now and then one might wonder how to create the perfect holiday dish “Nuggets style”, so I’ve picked and compared different Denver Nuggets players to their respective dinner options and laid out a masterpiece for a feast any Mile High Basketball fan would love.

Nikola Jokic: Turkey

I went back and forth on this one because Nikola Jokic is so crucial to the meal. He is the one that brings it all together and adds a chef’s kiss with his ability to see the court and direct a symphony in a crowded kitchen. Jokic is truly a master class and few possess the skills he does, so I didn’t want to overthink it.

He is the main course and the meat of the Nuggets offensively and defensively. He is the heart and soul of Denver and the dinner table wouldn’t be the same without him. Sure, you can try replacing Jokic with DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji, but Nuggets fans know ham when they taste it.

Getting by without Jokic doesn’t feel right, and despite a bevy of options to go with like salmon or Greek food, Jokic has turned into an instant classic in Denver, much like turkey has for holiday plates.

Jokic dishes out assists like mom dishes up dinner, and his rare qualities allow him to stand out amongst the mashed potatoes and green beans. He works well with others and keeps things clean, except for when he shoved Markieff Morris last November. The Nuggets are proud to present Jokic as their main dish and he rarely disappoints anymore.