The refs didn't play

It's one thing for the fans to blame officials when the home team loses.
It's another when the local media take up the cry. It's worse than annoying. It's old and tiring – and hasn't had any traction for 30-something years.
In case the local press forgot, the game officials don't play in any of Denver's professional sports efforts. Thus, they don't miss a shot, a free throw, turn the ball over incessantly and basically louse up the floor because of their inept/selfish play.
In last night's playoff game, the Nuggets stunk. Period. In three of the four games in their series with Utah, Denver has stunk. Period.
There are plenty of other scapegoats – bad chemistry, tuning out the substitute coach, playing street ball instead of team basketball. But none of those will ever get as much blame as the folks with the whistles.
Note to Denver media – if you're so knowledgeable about the rules of the sports you purport to cover, take the tests and become an official.
That would be too easy.