Well well well, how bout them Nuggets?!

Yes, it was against a bad Pacers team. So what? This team was missing the league MVP and their other top two players. It was a gutsy win by an undermanned squad, and you always take that!

But tonight was all about The Thrill. What a game by no. 5. Now onto the observations!

1. So this was the first game featuring Ball Arena's new health check procedure. If you can't prove you're vaccinated or recently without Covid, no entry for you. I predicted this would be a major pain, as getting into a Nuggets game on regular nights can be a chore if you don't show up early. My buddy arrived at 6:00 and got in immediately, which is not surprising. I arrived around 6:40, went to the entrance by Breckenridge Brewery and… also got in instantly. While I'm still expecting this to back up the lines on the weekend or against marquee teams, I guess we'll thank Jokic's suspension and the Pacers for easing us into this latest precaution. Still, totally worth it.
2. As for new precautions once inside the arena? Don't bother looking. Ball Arena is as nonchalant as ever about enforcing their mask mandate.
3. I stood in line longer for Smash Burger than I did to enter the Ball Sack (trying out this nickname for the arena, so we'll see how it goes). One guy ahead of me got his food and then promptly spilled his $6.00 tater tots all over the floor. A sight that pained all of us.
4. Jack Harlow took the first shot tonight (and bricked it). I promptly forgot his name and only remembered because my buddy told me he was on Hot Ones, so I looked it up. Guess I need to watch that episode now? I do like that show.
5. Definitely the smallest crowd I've seen this season. Joker is obviously the main draw these days and the Pacers just stink. We'll have a better idea this weekend about how many Nuggets fans are unvaccinated.
6. The fans were pretty loose and relaxed overall. I expect most of us weren't expecting much from the Nugs, and that's always when they pull out a dub. Also, it’s a Wednesday and we’re all still getting used to going out on a regular basis.
7. Can't say I saw any Pacers fans in the building. Not even a Reggie Miller or Paul George jersey anywhere. Makes me wonder how much of a presence Nuggets fans have on road games. Something I’ll have to explore more someday...
8. Tonight's halftime show was great. Can't recall the name of the organization, but it's always great to see special needs folks get to have fun and enjoy the sport that they love. Basically, a brief pickup game was played and one of the athletes made a layup on their first try. That’s a lot better than I usually fare on a basketball court. Nothing but respect.
9. My man Rocky was skunked yet again on his halfcourt shot. That’s three out of four games I’ve been to where he couldn’t sink it. Better days are ahead, Rock. Keep your chin up.
10. Will Barton. The least respected core player of the Jokic-era Nuggets, and while he certainly is not flawless (availability being his biggest weakness as of late), that dude can just straight up ball. A darn good player that loves sharing the floor with Jokic and being a Nugget, and I think it’s time the man earned his flowers for everything he’s given this franchise. Tonight is a great example. When no other starter was contributing much offensively, Thrill put the team on his back and carried his shorthanded squad to victory. I don’t care who you’re playing, that’s just what a good player does.
11. Nuggets' record when I’m in attendance: 4-0. It’s the first time I’ve posted that, so I’m fully prepared for that to immediately backfire.

See you on Friday, Nuggets fans.