Denver-Vice Chairman of Croenke Sports & Entertainment Josh Kroenke On Friday, the Denver Nuggets entered the “Championship or Bust” chapter, saying executive manager Tim Connelly will be coached by general manager Calvin Booth after his recent departure to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“We are in a new phase of the organization, especially in this team, championship or bust. I think this is the first time these words have been spoken in these holes,” Kroenke said.
To fulfill that promise Jamal Murray (Knee) and Michael Porter Jr... (Back) On the court with the star Nikola JokićLast season, he led the Nuggets to a 48-win season without fellow star players.
“There are two MVPs and two more all-star caliber players are injured,” Kroenke said. “And we’re probably ready in a way that this organization hasn’t had in the past.
“And it excites me, but it puts a lot of pressure on us. We’re no longer vulnerable like adorable people bouncing off Denver, Colorado. We’re healthy and we’re When I show what I can do, I think, we have a target on our back. “
Kroenke said at the first 33-minute wide press conference since 2015 that both the Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche will acquire new training facilities as part of a major redevelopment project near the Ball Arena.
Kroenke also said he was worried about the impact on young fans of the nearly three-year power outage of the Nuggets-Avalanche match due to a dispute with the state’s largest cable company.
Altitude TV, an independent community sports network owned by Stan Kroenke, has long been in dispute with Comcast, the state’s largest cable provider. This provider has not implemented Altitude since its last contract expired in 2019.
Kroenke also congratulated Connelly, who recently resigned to serve as president of Timberwolves’ basketball operations after playing the same role in Denver for nine years.
Connelly’s deal is worth $ 40 million over five years, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Voinaroski, and Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed that it included a team performance bonus.
Kroenke said he made a competitive offer to maintain Connelly.
“The word” equity “was becoming widespread. I didn’t always know what that meant. That can mean a lot in the business world, “says Kroekne. “But from the beginning, he said,” Hey, if some sort of fairness is up, I really need to see this for my family. “And I said, “OK”.
“Tim had a contract. As always in the NBA, the offer came in through the side door, so if this kind of number was thrown into someone’s head, it would be very difficult to contain. We felt he made a very competitive offer to feel good about staying in Denver. For his family. “
The press conference was initially scheduled more than a week before Connelly’s departure, but Kroenke said he was infected with food poisoning and then with COVID-19. He said Thursday that he eventually tested negative for the virus and was able to participate in Avalanche’s 4-0 victory over Edmonton in the second leg of the Stanley Cup final.
Booth will take over Connelly’s mission in Denver, but Kroenke said he would intervene to assist in the transition.
“I have always appreciated Calvin very much. I think he will do a great job for us,” Kroenke said. “I had a great conversation with my coach. [Michael] Malone was triggered by Tim’s departure from the exchanged message between Nicola and Jamal. I think everyone is very excited. It’s obviously sad to see him go, but he’s very excited about the future. “
Kroenke was one of the members of the organization that flew to Sombor, Serbia last month and awarded Jokić his second MVP trophy, and said Kroenke plans to return to Jokić to present his Supermax contract this summer. rice field.
The extension is projected to be $ 241 million, the largest contract in NBA history.
Kroenke also said he didn’t regret extending Porter on a five-year, $ 172 million contract before last season when he played just nine games before he needed his next back operation. rice field.
“I think I’m worried about his injury, not about the contract,” Kroenke said.
