Josh Kroenke on Building Successful Teams, Realizing How Special Jokic Is, and Drafting MPJ

In this episode Michael sits down with Josh Kroenke, owner of the the Nuggets and several other professional sports teams, to discuss how he built a winning team in Denver, when he realized just how special Jokic is, and why he decided to draft MPJ despite the injuries he went through.
Listen as a podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
TIME STAMPS:
0:26 Josh's childhood, growing up in a wealthy family, developing trust
5:35 Josh playing basketball growing up and at Mizzou
8:10 Post-college internship at NBA league office
11:18 MPJ accidentally posting Adam Silver's number at rookie transition program
12:55 Kroenke family getting into owning teams
17:48 Strategy to win a championship in Denver
21:28 Realizing how special Nikola Jokic is
25:17 Nikola's numbers vs. Larry Bird's numbers
27:30 Carmelo Anthony's frustrating with Jokic wearing #15
31:25 Why Nuggets drafted MPJ
42:45 How it felt winning first NBA championship as an owner
50:50 Purpose

[@Dr.Megladon]

Correct me if I am wrong but this is the only player podcast to talk about subjects besides only NBA basketball. There are a lot of MPJ haters out there, but he's a real one and I'm proud to say he is my brother in Christ! God bless you, sir!

[@RomnysGonzalez]

Yea pretty much.

[@pauld7704]

Yeah, he is genuinely curious and he asks thoughtful questions. I’m not a religious man but Mike is sincere in his faith and trying his best to lead a sincere life, I have nothing but respect for him.

[@shelovet0mmy]

There’s plenty like KD’s pod and Jeff Teague’s where they talk about pop culture in addition to ball. Then there’s the more biographical ones All the Smoke and Knuckleheads. You have storytelling pods with Iman’s and Udonis’. And then you have basketball centric like JJ and Draymond and CJ McCollum

[@drippington7967]

He don’t know you big dog

[@Dr.Megladon]

@drippington7967 you don't have to know someone to call someone your brother in Christ. I say that often about fellow Christian men.

[@Liz_A.5280]

And Michael, don’t you dare ever think to leave us! Don’t let us down sniper, you’re freaking incredible. WE NEED YOU.

[@oldmansportsog2514]

Even when Porter shot is not falling he opens up so much for Jokic and Jamal and other teams have to account for him So even when his shot is off he gives nuggets a valuable service

[@e.b.6144]

Jokic brothers next please, Mike.

[@ParallaxaLuminiferaGeminus]

yes!!!

[@milanjovanovic6259]

In Serbia Jokic brothers are considered as arrogant primitive rednecks by 90% of people.

[@MichaelGarzaShow]

Porter brothers next. Jontay Porter woo!

[@BlueHazeYota]

Gotta get coach on here MPJ!

[@oldmansportsog2514]

I want Ryan Bowen who played for Nuggets and now an assistant on the team. I remember him at Iowa in the Big Ten he was a solid role player and wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a HC somewhere down the line

[@calebpenny-kosser2029]

A Malone podcast would be so great

[@auntisushi]

YES! MPJ PLEASE GET COACH MALONE ON AFTER THIS GREAT SEASON ENDS!! BEST OF LUCK IN THE PLAYOFFS! WE LOVE YOU GUYS! 💙💛💪🏼👑🫶🏼🏀🇺🇸

[@Serenity01871]

And cb pwat dj strawther kcp jamal

[@davidwalter7145]

Thank you Michael, and Josh. I've been a Nuggets fan forever. I never imagined that we would win the championship. Thank you so very much. Dnfl

[@Trek.2715]

24:40 awesome Jokic story

[@npop3477]

One of many, and many to come…

[@POTG1247]

Literally the inception of Jokmas

[@aquamarine56]

Wow😮

[@enmorot]

21:20-27:30 That was one of the most incredible Nikola stories I've heard, and I've heard a lot of them!

[@DonKey496]

Took a while to get there tho 😂

[@nepoznali]

Both of Nikola's parents are engineers. Has there been a player in NBA history whose parents are both highly educated?

[@ADuff23]

Josh is such a great guest! Makes me feel so blessed to have the Kroenke’s at the helm of many of our Denver sports franchises. Really neat to hear Josh speak openly here for us! Thanks so much for doing this! Amazing content!

[@jamesschuyler8068]

Yeah, the need to buy the Rockies and save them too 🥺🥺

[@qfit80]

Josh is an astute individual and his insights on sports being a metaphor for life with teamwork is on point. Data-driven decisions resulted in a great outcome for the Nuggets. Great behind-the-scenes story from Josh on the Nuggets drafting you. I love his “why” for being in the business that it is about the people. Fascinating guest. I look forward to your future podcasts and wish you success in the NBA playoffs.

[@oldmansportsog2514]

I remember Josh at Mizzou He was just not some bench rider like Suns owner but an actual starter and a solid player, he did the dirty work out there

[@BaronMagick]

Mike gave the working mic to Josh and kept the bad one for himself. You are a great host Mike. Balkan hospitality.

[@johnmarston6429]

You don't wanna anger the boss 👀

[@mitobekrijo6878]

No offense, I hear Mike just in the opposite stereo-channel of Josh, same Level....maybe One of your Channels doesn't work properly..?

[@lovebertierose]

Mike, Thanks for keeping it real, asking the real questions is a gift. Wishing you great health, an amazing playoff season and winning another title. Good luck to the Kroenke's as we do appreciate what they have done for us here in Denver. Mike - you got this.... Let's go get another one.

[@hannielng]

This podcast is low-key underated. How often you get an owner to go to a podcast.

[@jesstiss222]

Josh was very coy and classy about the Melodrama but yep! OG NUGGETS FANS DEFINITELY REMEMBER IT ALL! 😅 It all worked out for our best though! I adore the GOAT _and_ *team* we have now 💛⚒️💙

[@mimad4923]

Coach Malone next!

[@MrZebraman26]

God damn I love this team. Real love man

[@ADuff23]

Yeah Mike! You have tremendous talent not only on the court but also asking great interview questions! Reminds me of PBD interviewing Kobe and asking unique questions that gave us greater perspective into someone’s inner drive and mindset. As a lifelong Nuggets fan it has been so much fun watching you all grow and play these last several years! Love hearing and watching you represent Christ so well. Keep it up brother!

[@TedRealTalks]

1. The greatest thing we can do is to make a difference in someone’s life. 2. Success is the byproduct of patience. These are my takeaways. Great show, Gents!

[@MrShuggadaddy]

I like these takeaways, I think their diligence was also a big part of the success 🤝

[@broncobilly4029]

Josh, you're doing a heck of a job. I've been a Nuggets fan since 1982. We had inconsistent and unfocused ownership (to be kind) until your family bought the team in 2k. It's clear you want to win more than we do, which makes it easy to justify the time and emotion we put into following your team. Godspeed! #NuggetsB2B

[@rcasagranda]

Man MPJ, you are good as a chat host! Great questions all around so nice to tune in, not that it means much, but you got a new subscriber here. Also, Praise the Lord for your life and how he managed to work around your life to make you deservingly an NBA champion! Way to go! Cheering for you here! Salutations from Ireland!

[@jamesdouthit7489]

one of your best podcast eps ever

[@mobilnitelefon8849]

This was a great podcast! Well done MPJ; you asked some outstanding questions and Josh gave some really nice answers and insights. My love for Nuggets just grew a bit more! Stay healthy and positive! All the best!

[@SheilaTomasek]

You are the best MPJ and we need you to really perform during the playoffs!!! Let’s go get #2 !!!

[@Moddulus_Prime]

As a die hard Arsenal & NBA fan, I'm truly believe in KSE's influence on the teams they own.

[@Liz_A.5280]

Awesome a new episode finally, thanks Mike.

[@jesstiss222]

He had a great one I think last week too! 😊

[@samghost13]

Big Nuggets Fan here and Big Fan of Curious Mike Channel and Player! Wish you all the best for the Finals run! And thank you for that mind blowing season so far! Outstanding!

[@coronazac]

As a life long nuggets fan I won't lie I cried like a little baby when we won the trophy I was there game 1 of the Finals and seeing that Finals logo on the floor was one of the most amazing things I have ever been a part of

[@Kegotback]

MPJ best of luck in the playoffs man. I truly do enjoy each one of your podcast episodes. Very insightful.

[@Jacob-gt2gx]

Great podcast but I really wish you would brought up the blackout in Colorado. It’s insane I have to spend $98 a month just to watch the Nuggets.

[@tjg1523]

I think we’d all appreciate that but I’m sure that was a subject that Josh’s team said was off limits. In all fairness that isn’t Josh’s problem to solve. He runs the organization not Altitude. His Dad is the one making the final decision there.

[@bluecloud6437]

dnvr podcast spoke about it in their interview, it's really not that interesting

[@johnmarston6429]

Wow, that's crazy. Are tickets easy to come by?

[@葉益亨]

nuggets fan from Taiwan, love what you guys are doing! Let's goooooo nuggest!

[@Leonellktown]

APPRECIATE ALL THE PODCAST FOR THE PEOPLE

[@krystilla]

appreciate you for podcasting about something things you are curious about, and not just trying to cash in on podcasting as most are currently doing. Its like reading a book, and not just popcorn reaction content.

[@oldmansportsog2514]

Just two boys from Columbia who became NBA Champions

[@landycalrissian]

Thanks for the interview, Mike!!

[@SarahNGeti]

GREAT INTERVIEW 👍 ❤

[@judieyang3943]

Die-hard fan from Taiwan/Greeley right here! And this is literally the only podcast that I listen to. Thank you for the good work both on and off the court : )

[@nathansteele4358]

Favourite episode so far

[@adanortiz1935]

We love MPJ in denver glad he bought in, ring number 2 on the way

[@jrod3668]

Love this episode! Mizzou baby!

[@keancaileyruiz381]

Another great podcast, thanks MPJ

[@scarlata8rd]

Keep doing your podcasts MPJ! I like your format

[@gracesoto3384]

Great interview!!!!

[@bluecloud6437]

gosh darnit i love jokic so much, nice pod mike btw, one love

[@evakozo3593]

Great interview

[@ginogarcia8730]

that's craaaaaaaaaazy - and makes analytics in the league more special now - like whoever is out here playing is actually good

[@kwasidapaah8383]

Josh is the man!

[@robshelden4670]

I remember how amazed I was and excited, when Mike fell to the Nuggets! Absolutely couldn’t believe it! It was then that I knew this team could win a Chip, MPJ took them to another level…Now it’s time for a B2B! Yeah Mike! Thanks for all you do!! Go Nuggets!

[@Edannnnnnn]

Curious Mike podcast just hit different compared to other player podcast! Great work by MPJ and the team, looking forward to the next episode!

[@DeaBar5280]

Another astute interview MPJ! 👏 Thank you. I'm a huge nugget's fan and was aware of these stories about you and Joker, but they never get old to me. ❤ Nice to learn more about JKronke. He definitely falls into the privileged category over the spoiled. Denver is blessed. Missed you both at the KSE Gala this year! 💙🏀💛🏆

[@Joe-dw1jn]

Great question on Melo. The fact is he is a Nugget alumnus. He lifted us from a decade + of losing to the playoffs in his rookie year and every year he was here. None of us can shame him for wanting to be closer to home and make more $. We would all do the same. The picks and haul we returned kept us in the playoffs and the final pick was Jamal Murray which lead to a Championship. We don't win a Championship without trading Melo. There are hard feelings on both sides and that's the real shame for the fans. We love our Nuggets. We can love Melo too. Josh, bring Melo back to sit courtside. Heal the wounds. Let the fans celebrate one of the top ___ Nuggets of All-Time. Nuggets fans deserve it. Melo and the organization deserve it. Let's go.❤

[@devinkonquer3334]

Love the content man keep it up I genuinely learn something valuable everytime you upload inspiring man thank you

[@robertpopesq]

I really enjoyed listening to Josh. Great episode Michael, great content.

[@ivangotyokes]

Nikola gonna be remembered forever. Carmelo will be an afterthought.

[@jesstiss222]

Sorry to say this but MPJ’s audio is still better than the Nuggets’. *_Please_* get some mics for the press during the post game interviews, Mr. Kroenke 😊

[@xxxxxJAYMILLZxxxxxxx]

Unreal pod.. hopefully the nuggets can win her all again

[@aleksandarsaric5020]

Great story that proofs what wonders can be done if u put some good people around u ...

[@Adrian_Estando]

For headphones I had to switch ear buds so it could match video.😂 Great interview!

[@timurnakamur]

Loved the ep. While executive role can’t be compared with athletes or coaches input on winning a championship in terms of physical toll and amount of hours spent grinding, it certainly crucial to build a good culture and environment to bolster everyone involved. Josh certainly showcases good decision making, problem solving attitude and tries to be involved which can’t be said about a lot of these soulless teams out there. Cheers Nuggets and Big Mike!

[@Shadowhawk26]

I do remember watching Josh play for Mizzou. Those were fun years with coach Snyder

[@Paulovlyra]

Great pod, Mike. Best player pod after JJ's

[@benjaminkaufer8135]

This was a fire pod

[@alexanderbrown5676]

Hey I've got mixed feelings about Uber rich people but thank you for building this amazing championship Team

[@MichaelGarzaShow]

I cant wait for the Jontay Porter episode ❤

[@uFFFO]

Would you say this to the man's face? It's not original and it's never been funny.

[@MichaelGarzaShow]

@@uFFFO it is funny and I would absolutely say it to his face because I mean it and i have no filter

[@jankosavic7041]

Regarding the number 15.. Fun fact, beck in the days in international baskeball you could only ware jearsey numbers between 4-15. Your number used to be determened by the position you play. Point guard on a team would ware nr. 4 - 6, guards and forwards 7-11 and the centers 12-15. Number 15 is usually the tallest guy on a team - thats how Nikola got nr 15. If you see all the older european players coming to NBA, they would all choose the numbers in the range of 4- 15 if that number is available. Toni Kukoc nr 7, Parker 9, Sabonis 11, Vlade Divac 12, and so on

[@BadP0tat0]

Great podcast Mike!

[@jabind_]

great pod

[@malachymur4427]

Keep up the great work mike really enjoy the podcast Killin it🔥

[@HabitsThatThrive]

Michael u guys are the best sweep the lakers they aint got nothing on yall 4-0 !!!!

[@djanapadbury-zivkovic7496]

Yes, get Strahinja and Nemanja on, that's a fantastic idea!!! (Nikola's brothers)

[@darlenep1616]

You have a fan all the way in Panama 🇵🇦

[@kevvwarren]

Great episode 🔥🔥

[@dlaldlaldlanutsntnstn1418]

This sounds great if you have your headphones on backwards

[@Jcochrane0]

We need to teach Josh the term "Jokmas"

[@hitechj5057]

God Bless Kronks, he saved my club

[@Jsch23]

lets go back to back mike!! i remember a couple years after you got drafted me and my friends all thought you were gonna ask for a trade cause(maybe im wrong here) but it seemed like from the outside you werent happy with coach malone, your playing time, or your touches. i cant lie we started to get a bad opinion of you thinking you were more about you than the team(again this is all outside perspective i was never positive about any of this), but these past couple years your growth has been so obvious on both ends of the floor and in your maturity! in that t-wolves game the other day i noticed how locked in you were on defense, the way you were moving your feet not letting guys past you and rotating to your man on time, even ahead of time in one instance.(that was super impressive you dont see that too often in the league), one of the reasons our defense has improved so much is because of your individual work and improvement on that end, having a guy your size as the low man on a lot of those rotations protecting the rim and getting rebounds the way you do. people on social media say the "michael never swing the rock porter jr" thing but nah man you make the right pass now and the shots you shoot are in rhythm and may look tough a lot of the time but thats cause thats what you do is make tough shots over people at 6 foot 10. you are a true sniper and have carved out a role as the klay thompson of the next nba dynasty. the way you've overcome injuries that are really rare and difficult to overcome, the way you've contributed to a champion, the way you've embraced your teammates and your city, you are now one of my favorite nuggets ever! appreciate everything you do man this is why sports are awesome is because of stories like this LFG!

[@marcusalazard7091]

yooooooooo kroenke can you make watching the nuggets easy

[@Myst_Defy]

I remember screaming and jumping up and down when the Nuggets drafted MPJ I couldn't believe how lucky we got. I was just praying that we wouldn't pass on him.

[@adeshas83]

God bless Josh for his work at arsenal

[@Dridgeism]

Looks like something got screwed up in editing and audio tracks were reversed? All the other vids have been fine, assume it was just a mistake.

[@denvernuggetsdiscussions8073]

I've been a nuggets fan since like 2005, AI and Melo, ive been through the melo era, the ty lawson/kenneth faried transition and the build up with jokic and murray, and man when i saw that season with MPJ in the bubble, i thought "once this guy gets healthy, we will dominate, we just need to be patient" losing grant hurt, but then getting AG I knew we would be great, then murray went down and i almost cried, i was legit so upset i didnt even hook up with a girl that night LOL I saw our chance just disappear. Then you went down with the back and and i was like "well this season is not going to go well" it didnt but then you and murray came back, we traded monte for KCP and it hurt to see monte leave but god it was a good trade. bro we won the chip and i cried at buffalo wild wings lol i know jokic wants to be in denver his whole career, and AG i swear seems so happy here, I just hope you and Murray want to stay, even during shooting slumps, i still have so much faith in you guys, I like KCP and all but i seriously hope our core 4 stay in denver because we arent a dynasty yet, but if we keep going how we are going, we could be. Itll probably come down to money but I'm hoping you 4 stay with us.

[@micahhayes8770]

I wish i could kick it w/!Josh and MPJ for a day bc we got some some similarities. Im from Missouri, have same birthday as Josh(also in my early 40s),moved to Denver in 07 like Josh, my fav college team is Mizzou and and fav NBA teams is the Nuggs.

[@xxxxxJAYMILLZxxxxxxx]

MPJ get the legendary Joe SAKIC on a pod.

[@ASOC4]

PSWAT next please!

[@davidbernal-hernandez5379]

Stay strong, the enemy works in mysterious ways. But gone will help you get the job done. Stay strong in your faith brothers.

[@fredlfensterbredl]

As a Nuggets and Gunners fan it's always fun to see how Nuggets fans respect and fully accept the Kroenkes and then on the other hand the Gunners, who absolutely despise them. 😂

[@harrisoncole7597]

The left and right audio channels should be flipped. Also, go get that Larry!

[@harrisoncole7597]

or just do mono next time

[@Jacob-gt2gx]

Yeah listening to this with headphones is tripping me out.

[@touyang8062]

We need an episode with ur brother

[@RomnysGonzalez]

Jay Huff looks like Josh

[@DavidJackson-fq9fn]

Somebody ask them if they have discussed buying the Rockies.. for real

[@auntisushi]

For sure!!!! The Monforts will never spend the money needed to get GREAT players! Please talk to your Dad about this Josh!! The Rockies need help! 🙏🏼💪🏼🫶🏼🔥

[@Dr.MantisToboggan1]

Bulls fan here looking for some hope with Arturas Karnisovas. However, it seems to me like Tim Connelly was the one who Drafted Murray, MPJ, Jokic, and made the trade for Aaron Gordon. If I'm wrong, educate me. I've lost all hope in AK. I'm happy for the Nuggets they have a great team. You guys are so lucky to have an owner who cares about the team.

[@lappin6482]

Well done Mike awesome work with Josh 👏👏👏

[@gamemusicmeltingpot2192]

bruh, the left guys sound is in my right year and Mike's audio is in my left. Wtf

[@stormageddon248]

We want mal!

[@walterfrankjr.1276]

Always make sure it quiet on the set.

[@strahinjastevic7480]

Almost forgot that the Nuggets and Arsenal are under the same umbrella, I guess the MLS team can serve to develop future Arsenal players which i find dope, would be a huge deal for American soccer.

[@Kiyanu31]

Hey, Mike and The Nuggets. Please sweep again the Lakers. 🎉

[@corbing7786]

Hey Mike love the show, but please dont mix the podcast in stereo

[@robertkitchens6341]

I have been hatin on that 176 million contract on dnvr podcst for 2 years but they got the chip his back injury always got me thinking twice about MPJ I don’t know how he been so healthy this year I don’t think any player ever has overcome such a serious injury glenwood springs Stand up

[@GoldgalMIZ]

Go CoMo! 🐯💚

[@jordanbargas9232]

Stay curious, Mike!

[@benblood5704]

Here second… let’s make another finals run 303