High Hopes, Hard Falls, and a Brighter Tomorrow: Avalanche and Nuggets' Playoff Heartbreak
As the final buzzer sounded and the echoes of a once-roaring crowd faded into silence, the weight of disappointment hung heavy over Colorado. Both the Avalanche and the Nuggets, teams that carried the hopes and dreams of Denver fans, found themselves ousted in the second round of the 2024 playoffs. The sting is sharp, the wounds fresh, and the reality of unfulfilled expectations settles in like the chill of a Colorado winter.
Today is a hard day to be a sports fan in Colorado. Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." These words resonate deeply as we reflect on the recent playoff exits. The pain of this moment is rivaled only by a few other dark days in Denver sports history—like the Broncos' crushing 43-8 Super Bowl defeat, or the heartbreaking playoff collapse against the Ravens in 2012. Yet, even in those bleak times, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of Peyton Manning. Just like there is in the form of Nikola Jokic and Nathan MacKinnon. Sure - in those 2012 and 2013 moments Peyton had also won before - just like these Avs and Nuggets teams. But he found a way after a stinging defeat to win again just two years later.
Both teams, despite their relentless effort, looked dead tired. Their collective performance at Ball Arena, a dismal 1-6 record over the past two weeks, was a stark contrast to their usual dominance in the high altitude that should have been their advantage. The short offseason for the Nuggets, the emotional and physical toll of suspensions, and a glaring lack of depth all played their part in this disappointing narrative.
For the Nuggets, the inconsistency of their stars, particularly Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., was a bitter pill to swallow. After the euphoria of last year's championship run, the expectation was set: anything less than a repeat felt like failure. Murray and Porter Jr. alternated between moments of brilliance and stretches of inefficiency, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering why they couldn't find their rhythm. Was it the fatigue from last year's grueling playoff run? Was it the pressure of defending their title? Or was it simply a lack of focus and drive? Coach Michael Malone's immaturity and lack of refocus became apparent as the season wore on, further compounding the team's struggles.
The Avalanche, on the other hand, had their own unique challenges. Two years ago, they stood atop the hockey world as champions. Since then, they've paid heavily to retain key players like Gabriel Landeskog, Logan O'Connor, and Valeri Nichushkin. Yet, these players either played sparingly or missed the playoffs entirely. Jared Bednar's coaching remained solid, but the avalanche of injuries and suspensions left the team depleted. Despite these setbacks, there was a lingering sense that without the Nichushkin controversy, they might have had the spark needed to push further.
Why is it becoming harder to repeat in sports?
The landscape has changed. Parity is the name of the game now, with talent spread more evenly across teams. The grueling nature of modern seasons, the relentless pace, and the increasing sophistication of opponents' strategies all contribute to this reality. Every team is better prepared, every player more finely tuned, making the journey to repeat as champions an uphill battle. The margin for error is slimmer than ever, and sustaining excellence requires not just talent, but resilience and a bit of fortune.
As the dust settles on this season, the disappointment is palpable. For the Nuggets, there's a sense of missed intensity and drive, a shadow of what could have been. For the Avalanche, it's a feeling of a door slightly ajar, a tantalizing glimpse of potential unrealized.
Yet, amid the sorrow, hope remains. In Nikola Jokic and Nathan MacKinnon, Denver has two of the brightest stars in their respective sports. Jokic, who has already secured the MVP this season, and MacKinnon, who is poised to do the same, bring unparalleled hope. The last time a city had such a dynamic MVP duo was in 1988, when Wayne Gretzky and Magic Johnson achieved this remarkable feat in Los Angeles. Their leadership, skill, and determination are beacons for the future. Jokic's vision and versatility on the court, MacKinnon's speed and precision on the ice—they are the foundations upon which new dreams can be built.
It's akin to a football team set at the quarterback position but plagued by bad injury luck to key players or a critical turnover that derailed a promising drive. Jokic and MacKinnon bring stability and a sense of inevitability that, despite the setbacks, greatness is within reach. They are the franchise cornerstones around whom success can be rebuilt. Just like the Broncos still had hope, and eventually won again in 2015- because they had Peyton Manning.
As fans, we mourn this year's end, but we also look forward. Because with Jokic and MacKinnon, the promise of tomorrow shines brightly. The road to glory is rarely smooth, but it is the journey, the struggle, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that define true champions. And for the Avalanche and the Nuggets, the journey continues.
