The Nuggets big challenge will be staying their current course

There is that classic line in that seemingly timeless film “Caddyshack” that we all know and love. It was uttered by Bill Murray.

“I’d keep playing. I don’t think the heavy stuff is going to come down for quite a while.”

It’s a classic line from a classic movie. And maybe it’s good advice, these days, for the Denver Nuggets.

“I’d keep playing.”

The Nuggets continue to be one of the NBA’s hottest teams. Heading into tonight’s game against the Thunder, they have won six straight. There have been a couple close ones and a couple blowouts, but the wins have some common denominators. The Nuggets are winning these games with great intensity, great energy and lots of unselfishness.

We can see the intensity. And perhaps the best example of unselfishness was on display Sunday night when Nikola Jokic missed a triple-double by two points. Because he only took five shots. Five shots! Can you believe that? What MVP does that?

And the reason he took five shots was that his passing and rebounding were leading his team to a blowout win at Portland. They didn’t need his scoring. And he knew it!

The word was that he was informed, on the bench in the second half, that he was two points shy of another triple-double. And the word was his response was that he didn’t care. He didn’t care about his stats. He cared about the win. And it was a gigantic win for the Nuggets over Chauncey Billups and the Portland Trail Blazers. This team is playing unselfish basketball, led by perhaps the most-unselfish MVP in NBA history.

The acquisitions of DeMarcus Cousins and Bryn Forbes look like great ones. Both players are fitting in very nicely. Both of those guys seem to get better and better as they settle into their roles, coming off the bench and using their specific skills. Kudos to the general manager for the moves!

Most of us figured that if the Nuggets, after losing two key players – Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. – would be doing just fine sitting at .500 around the All-Star break. Never mind that. How about 11 games over .500! And with a serious chance of gaining a home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Soon, reinforcements will be here. Both Porter and Murray look like they have a terrific chance to come back with at least a couple weeks left in the regular season.

Just keep doing what you’re doing Denver Nuggets. Continue with the energy and the enthusiasm and the unselfishness!

I think I can speak for all Nuggets fans when I steal the classic movie line – and give the team a little advice.

“I’d keep playing!”