Log in
My Account
Subscribe 99¢ for 3 months
Newsletter

Today's Digital Newspaper

The Denver Gazette

loader-image
weather icon 26°F
Weather from WeatherAPI

Daily Weather Report
Powered By:

Login
My Account
Subscribe
Newsletter

Archive Information

Carrier Portal

Search

Buy Our Photos

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Why Cam Johnson is huge upgrade over Michael Porter Jr.

By October 11, 2025 | updated 2 months ago

Cam Johnson takes questions from members of the press during the Nuggets Media Day at Ball Arena on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (Tom Hellauer/Denver Gazette)

Forward Cam Johnson is a more valuable addition to the Nuggets than back-up center Jonas Valanciunas, but he’s not any better than Michael Porter Jr. After all the roster changes, the Nuggets didn’t necessarily improve.

– M.M, healthy skeptic

Kiz: As the knuckleheads here at Kickin’ It Headquarters often do, were aimlessly scrolling through the internet and stumbled across the Nuggets’ over/under win total established by Las Vegas oddsmakers. When we saw 53.5, the first two words out of our agape mouths were: “Holy moly” (or something like that). Oklahoma City and Cleveland are the only teams projected to have better records. We don’t know much, but we are smart enough to understand: The Vegas wise guys seldom get it wrong. The Nuggets are back, baby! And Johnson is a huge improvement over MPJ, on basketball IQ alone. 

The only reason Colorado State football coach Jay Norvell was still employed after a 1-4 start was that his buyout drops to zero dollars in  December.

– R.F., did the math

Kiz: I like the way you think! Why? Because if Colorado State’s cheapness was what kept Norvell employed long enough to lead the Rams to a rousing 49-21 victory against Fresno State, that’s a hilarious commentary on the bassackwards way the school conducts its business. The No. 1 problem with CSU football isn’t the coach. It’s the build-it-and-they-will-come naivete of a university that spent way too much money on a stadium for a football program nobody really cares about. 

Deion Sanders should resign as football coach of the Colorado Buffaloes and get his health right.

– T.R., concerned fan

Kiz: Some people were born to thrive in the spotlight. Sanders is one of them. The spotlight infuses him with energy and stokes his enthusiasm. After watching Sanders do battle with cancer and blood clots, I’ve also wondered if maybe he should turn his focus to something more important than whether the Buffs win or lose a football game. But know what? The spotlight gives Prime life, and football provides a sense of purpose. That’s strong medicine.

As a Broncos fan from birth, the new ownership group led by Greg and Carrie Penner has shown a love for Denver and respect to the fans. I sincerely hope this new stadium will allow some openings for new season-ticket holders.

– G.C, Casper, Wyo.

Kiz: Well, now we get to the most controversial issue looming over the construction of a new stadium for the Broncos. If ownership wants to improve the in-stadium experience for fans, the team should reduce the seating capacity from the throng of 75,000 at the current Mile High. And I can all but guarantee you there will be private seat licenses that require longtime customers to fork over money merely for the right to keep season tickets at the new stadium. The cost of attending a Broncos game in their new digs is fixing to go up. Significantly. Grousing will ensue. 

And today’s parting shot reminds us why it would be prudent for the Broncos to make a Super Bowl run while quarterback Bo Nix works on a relatively inexpensive rookie contract.

If Nix turns out to be Jake Plummer with a solid offense and top defense behind him, I’ll take that every day.

– D.D., the ring’s the thing

Mark Kiszla

Reporter

PREV

PREVIOUS

Sean Payton coaching tree in focus ahead of Broncos-Jets game in London

Sean Payton led a Saints team in 2017 with future head coaches all around him.  Curtis Johnson (senior offensive assistant) is now the UFL Houston Roughnecks’ head coach. Mike Nolan (linebackers coach) is now the UFL Michigan Panthers’ head coach. Dan Campbell (tight ends coach) is now the Lions’ head coach. Aaron Glenn (defensive backs […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

No. 24 Colorado soccer shuts out Arizona State at home | Colorado Sunshine

Where the good news shines The No. 24 Colorado soccer team secured a shutout 2-0 victory over Arizona State on Friday at Prentup Field. The win was the Buffs’ 10th of the season, improving to 10-2-2 and 4-1-1 in Big 12 play. Colorado has now won 10 games in each of the last three seasons. […]
Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests