Happy Saturday everyone! What a satisfying home stand this has been. After cooling off the Heat and surviving Wednesday without Jokic, the good guys continued taking care of business against the Hawks. I was there when Trae Young went off and obliterated the Nuggets’ defense in a loss, so I certainly wasn’t taking Atlanta lightly. I’m glad that the home team didn’t either.

On to the observations!

1. Illegal Pete’s on 16th Street still gives you a free drink if you buy a meal before the game, but the best part is that their new location is way bigger than the old spot. As much as I enjoy their food, I hated going there in the past. Not a huge fan of having to stand and eat a burrito next to the trash cans, because there’s nowhere else to stand or sit. But the new spot is much more spacious. Highly recommend y’all check it out if you haven’t been there yet.
2. I headed straight for the entrance next to Breck Brewery and again immediately got in. I’m probably going to stop mentioning that in these, because it feels like not as many people know about that as they should and I’m enjoying the convenience of a stress-free entry.
3. Not a ton of Hawks jerseys in the house, but the ones I saw were all Trae Young. He’s got to be the most popular, electric player that Atlanta has had in a long time.
4. Seemed like the stands were still pretty packed, even with the health check. Glad to see that a lot of Nuggets fans believe in science and, you know, common decency.
5. The jumbotron told me that Jack Harlow took the first shot again, but unless he turned himself into Miss Colorado in the past two days, that doesn’t seem correct. Maura Spence Carroll got to shoot it from the paint and still missed the shot.
6. I chatted with some of the other season ticket holders around me. Always enjoy connecting with other diehards. I can’t recall any of these guys in those seats before this season, but hey, that’s been awhile now.
7. Rocky is officially on a cold streak with his half court shot. I don't think I've seen him miss it three games in a row before.
8. Even though this one was close in the beginning, the outcome never felt like it was in doubt. I think Nuggets fans have come to trust that their team will usually find its footing in the second half and we have one of the best closers in the game to take us home.
9. Jokic’s response to being forced to take a night off this week? He casually drops a triple double and leads his team to the dub. The Joker belongs to the Denver pantheon of athletes. The man is consistently excellent in not just his individual performances, but also ensuring that his team is always in the hunt and always has a chance to win, regardless of who his supporting cast is. My parents got to see John Elway’s entire career from start to finish. Getting to watch Jokic’s sure feels that special.

The only thing standing between the Nuggets and an undefeated home stand is the Portland Trail Blazers. Another team I never take lightly, regardless of their record. See you Sunday!