The Nuggets won the NBA championship last season, but they won’t be taking the usual victory lap in the form of a trip to see President Joe Biden at the White House.
Thursday night on TNT, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed why.
“The Denver Nuggets are prioritizing that No. 1 seed,” Haynes said.
“They’re really trying to do everything they can to get into that spot before the playoffs.”
Haynes noted that the Nuggets were originally scheduled to visit the White House in late January, but due to a “scheduling conflict,” the Biden administration moved the date to March 18.
The Nuggets, however, reportedly became “concerned” about facing the Timberwolves, who are currently the top seed, on the road the following night.
Haynes emphasized that it was a “basketball decision” rather than a removal from the team for political reasons.
It makes sense that the Nuggets would be especially motivated to go for the top seed, as they have always enjoyed great home-court advantage, in part because they are more acclimated to Denver’s air, at a height of ‘one kilometer.
Nonetheless, Charles Barkley mocked the Nuggets for using this reasoning to avoid the visit.
“Are they flying southwest or something?” Barkley sarcastically asked on TNT, as covered by Awful Announcement. “Come on man. I actually have a problem with everything that’s happened in sports over the last few years, not just now. It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. It doesn’t matter who is at the White House. It’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House. You should always go. But these guys act like they’re flying southwest.
At 43-20, the Nuggets are a game behind the Timberwolves and also a half-game behind the Thunder.