Nuggets center Nikola Jokic already is the best athlete to ever wear a Denver uniform. Not as influential as John Elway has been in Colorado, but Joker is a two-time MVP, as well as MVP of the NBA Finals when the Nuggets won their first championship. Jokic is the best player in the NBA. Elway was never on that level.
Dan, Chandler, Ariz.
Kiz: Elway will forever be our beloved Duke of Denver. But Jokic is the king of the basketball universe. In terms of pure athletic achievement? Advantage, Joker.
Elway is untouchable as the GOAT in Colorado. No doubt Jokic will forever be loved as a legend in Denver. He will always be one of the greatest, but Elway is Denver. He made this city and this state his life. Jokic really doesn’t seem to want to have involvement with Colorado, only Serbia.
B.V., community-minded
Kiz: So if Joker sold you steaks and cars, you’d give him more credit for scoring baskets?
Why does everyone keep talking about Elway and his engagement with the city? The topic we’re discussing is best athlete, not best Chamber of Commerce representative. Elway did not dominate like Jokic is dominating. It’s not even close.
T.C., prime-time player
Kiz: Jokic’s heart belongs to his homeland. I admire him for that. Here’s my quesiton: If Jokic and Serbia play the United States for the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which team does a die-hard Nuggets fan cheer for?
Hate to say it, because I love Jokic, but replacing Elway as the GOAT in Colorado can’t be done. It’s not Joker’s fault. It’s a factor of time, place and history. Elway took what was a sleepy sports cowtown and put it on his back. He suffered and preserved to almost single-handedly bring Denver to sports prominence.
Mark, Colorado proud
Kiz: Elway transformed our dusty old cowtown into the best sports city in America. That’s more impactful than anything Jokic will ever do for Denver. But Joker’s the more amazing athlete. My story. Sticking to it.
I think Jokic and Elway are both amazing, as is Peyton Manning. Please don’t forget Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and their Stanley Cup victories. Why stop there? Look at skier Mikaela Shiffrin. She is the GOAT.
Fifi, into the wide open
Kiz: If you survey the staff here at Kickin’ It Headquarters, you’ll hear there’s never been a more talented athlete born and raised in Colorado than Shiffrin. She proudly competes for more than our fine state while wearing the red, white and blue uniform of Team USA at the Olympics.
And today’s parting shot is my reaction to watching the sun dip behind the Rocky Mountains before 5 p.m.: Ugh! If I wanted to live in the winter darkness of Iceland, I’d move to Iceland (and I love Iceland). But I live in Colorado for the sunshine on my shoulders. When I’m King of the World, we will save daylight 365 days per year. Guaranteed.
Kiz, when you’re King of the World and fix this time-switching nonsense, I’ve got a few other things for you to tackle. I’ll start a list.
Laura, goal-oriented
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