Lessons from Championship Teams: What I Learned from the Avs and Nuggets About Leadership

For 17 seasons as Vice President & Executive Producer of the digital department at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, I was around the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche—witnessing the day-to-day greatness of professional sports up close.

But then, in back-to-back years, I was along for the ride—first with the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup run in 2022, then with the Nuggets’ historic NBA title in 2023—immersed in the culture and part of the journey as both organizations climbed all the way to the mountain top.

Those championship runs culminated for me in two unforgettable moments: riding on a firetruck during the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup parade, and celebrating with Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Coach Malone, and the rest of the Nuggets team in their home locker room at Ball Arena when they captured their first NBA title in 2023.

For me—a Denver kid and lifelong Nuggets fan—celebrating their first title from inside the locker room was surreal.

I traveled with both teams throughout the grind of their seasons—and for the years leading up to them—immersed in the culture, seeing up close what makes champions different.

I wasn’t scoring goals or hitting clutch threes, of course. But I built and led the digital content teams that covered the players, told their stories, captured their celebrations, and helped shape their brands. I was in the rooms, on the buses, and behind the scenes long enough to see the patterns. And here’s the truth: championships aren’t accidents—they’re built on leadership, culture, and relentless standards.

Here are the lessons I’ll never forget, and why they matter for any team, brand, or business trying to build something lasting.

1. Culture Wins First

The Avs and Nuggets had superstar talent. But the thread that tied their runs together was culture. The Avs had a “brotherhood” energy—relentless accountability mixed with genuine love for each other. The Nuggets kept it light, even in the highest-pressure moments, because trust and joy were baked in long before the Finals.

For brands: Culture isn’t an accessory. It’s the core. Build it with intention, and it will carry you through the hardest battles.

2. Leadership Is Steady, Not Loud

Cale Makar didn’t need to scream. Jokić didn’t have to give long speeches. Their leadership was visible in consistency, poise, and presence. Murray’s fire paired with Jokić’s calm created balance. Leaders didn’t demand respect—they earned it in every practice, every rep, every quiet moment.

For brands: Real leadership shows in how you carry yourself under pressure, not in how often you say you’re in charge.

3. Work Ethic Sets the Standard

The Avs’ practices during the Cup run looked like training camp—full intensity, no shortcuts. Watching Murray’s comeback from injury wasn’t just inspiring, it set the tone for the Nuggets. When your best players grind like that, the rest of the team has no choice but to follow.

For brands: Your team mirrors your effort. If you set the bar low, they’ll clear it. If you raise it, they’ll rise.

4. Trust Creates Freedom

Both teams played with freedom because they trusted each other completely. Every rotation, every defensive switch, every pass—built on months of consistency and belief in one another. Trust allowed them to play loose, adapt fast, and step into big moments without hesitation.

For brands: Trust is the difference between a team that plays tight and one that thrives under pressure.

5. Joy Is Fuel, Not a Distraction

What struck me most? The joy.

The Nuggets celebrated every little win along the way, keeping the locker room light and present. The Avs had fun with each other even when the stakes were sky-high. That joy didn’t dilute performance—it fueled it.

For brands: Fun and excellence aren’t opposites. They’re partners. Joy creates the energy that sustains great work.

Bringing It Back to Tewdilly

At Tewdilly, I’m building this with clients every day—culture, steady leadership, contagious work ethic, real trust, and joy baked into how the team operates. The result: clearer brands, tighter execution, and growth that lasts.

Championship moments may look like they’re won in a single night, but they’re really earned by a thousand aligned decisions stacked over time.

Whether you’re chasing trophies or building a brand, the principle is the same: if you build it right, the confetti will fall.

It truly is about the journey.