Comment on From Denver to Dubai, Nikola Jokic has superstar influence — whether he wants it or not

Bud Black could have retired to his home near San Diego to devote his time and energy to his five grandchildren. After all, Black has accomplished plenty during his 45 years in professional baseball. He has two World Series rings, one as a pitcher with Kansas City in 1985 and one with the Angels as their pitching coach in 2002.

The beep test requires a bleep button. And it provides insight into why Jamal Murray can ascend in his ninth season, even as history suggests it is unlikely. Ten years into the job, coach Michael Malone knows Murray better than anyone. He loves Jamal the way Sean Payton adores the Greenbrier Resort.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Nikola Jokic was running late. He famously detests calling attention to himself, but there was no time to wait for a convenient moment. By the time he and two teammates made it through Dubai traffic, it was already the second quarter. So the 6-foot-11 center sauntered out to the sideline during live play, shaking a few hands and taking a court-side seat to the left of Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke as the crowd stirred. A few seconds later, while two children eagerly approached Jokic, his former team fell behind 28-18, its largest deficit. Goran Cakic and Misko Raznatovic had feared this.

The Broncos have shown a willingness to take care of their own. Ahead of the 2024 season, the organization signed cornerback Pat Surtain II and right guard Quinn Meinerz to large contract extensions, making them two of the highest-paid players at their respective positions. So, who should be the next Denver player to land a long-term deal? Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is certainly making a case.

Doomed from the start. Hell of a response. Then a collapse. Five minutes into the Colorado Rapids’ Decision Day match against Austin FC, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic went down with a rolled ankle that required a substitute and a stretcher. On the same play, Austin earned and converted a penalty via Sebastian Driussi in the eighth minute after Mihailovic was treated. Goals in the 42nd and 75th for the Rapids seemed to have secured a quality win in what coach Chris Armas considered a must-win for his team, but two headed goals from Austin in stoppage time flipped the result and subjected the Rapids to the seventh seed in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Here are three takeaways from a 3-2 loss that reawakened the demons of losing to bad teams on the road heading into a playoff matchup with L.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY — The Colorado State Rams have endured many long, somber bus rides from Falcon Stadium back home to Fort Collins. Not Saturday night. The Rams held on for a tense 21-13 victory over Air Force, turning the 125-mile journey into something of a joy ride. CSU made its share of mistakes — early and late — but delivered enough big plays to notch a win at the Academy for the first time since 2002.