Michael Malone‘s message to his Nuggets heading into Game 5 on Monday is a study in reverse psychology. He wants them to feel like they’re down 3-1 in the Finals instead of the other way around, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk writes.
“My biggest concern going into any close-out game is human nature and fighting against that,” the Nuggets coach said. “Most teams, when you’re up 3-1, they come up for air. They relax and they just kind of take it for granted that, oh, we’re going to win this. We know anything is possible. That’s why my message to our team was our approach has to be we are down 3-1. They are desperate. We have to be more desperate. They are hungry. We have to be hungrier.”
Malone believes the Nuggets are ready to claim their first title.
“This team has been through a lot,” Malone said. “The last two years, no Jamal Murray; last season, no Michael Porter. To get back healthy and add some key pieces, this is a team that has been tested before and I think is really built for this moment.”
We have more on the Nuggets:
- Bruce Brown, who is expected to decline his player option so that he can enter free agency again, has become a solid 3-point shooter. He came into the NBA with the Pistons as a player who could be ignored on the offensive end, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes, but now he’s making defenses pay. “Remember, when I first came in the league, I couldn’t shoot. I wasn’t confident shooting the ball at all. I was a mutt guy,” he said. “They left me wide open and let me shoot. So that took a toll on my confidence, but it put a chip on my shoulder. So I just got in the gym and worked, and now it’s showing on the biggest stage.” Brown is averaging 11.8 points in the Finals and has made half of his 3-point attempts.
- The Nuggets made a wise move by agreeing to a draft-pick trade with the Thunder, Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman opines. Denver needs to fill out its bench with young, promising players on inexpensive contracts for salary-cap reasons. Denver will receive three draft picks in the reported deal — this year’s No. 37 selection, the least favorable of the Thunder’s 2024 first-round picks, and a 2024 second-rounder. Oklahoma City will get Denver’s 2029 first-round pick.
- Malone believes more teams will try to emulate the Nuggets’ blueprint for success, NBA on ESPN relays (video link). Denver’s ownership and front office didn’t panic despite falling short in the playoffs the past four seasons. “Every team collectively has to pick a path and stay true to it,” Malone said. “I feel really fortunate our journey has been one of patience, one of drafting really well and developing those players and then adding the right pieces around them.”
More teams will follow their blueprint? You mean fleecing the Knicks in the Melo trade that got them the pick to select Murray and then hitting the jackpot by drafting a multiple time MVP in the 2nd round?
That is some pretty important context here. Sure they were patient through the injuries but they also absolutely nailed the additions around the 3 main guys starting with Gordon and then KCP and Brown. To the point where it isn’t clear where the line for the main guys is anymore. Top 6? 7 with Braun?
Caruso Rivers Braun
Yeah, that’s the point. Fleecing the Knicks and then hitting on that draft pick. Not making major changes, just finding the finishing pieces that fit so well. There’s no context needed, they had opportunities and they took advantage.
” Malone said. “I feel really fortunate our journey has been one of patience, one of drafting really well and developing those players and then adding the right pieces around them.”
Then why was Connolly’s first move in Minnesota, to further screw up the franchise for the next half dozen years by trading away:
FIVE FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS
FOUR PROVEN NBA PLAYERS
ONE PICK SWAP IN 2026
FOR ONE 30 YEAR OLD CENTER
When the team clearly was not one player away from serious contention??
My money is on the new owners pushing for that deal
Yeah, that was almost certainly an ownership move. Pretty much everyone knew it was stupid to disassemble a team that had finally done something, and that Gobert wasn’t a good fit alongside Towns. No way an actual professional GM like Connolly was in favor of that particular move.
Imagine what the haul for Embid would be.
Best trade is Bones Hiland who couldn’t fit with Jokic’game … Hope Westbrook or any washed overated max player would go for the minimum vet to win a ring alongside Jokic …
The nuggets have talent they drafted on the bench .Zeke Cancer both can play. You shrink your bench in the playoffs
They were playing major rotation minutes until Zeke re-injured his shoulder and Vlatko his foot. If they stay healthy I expect Denver to return with much the same roster – with perhaps minor changes amongst the vets and if Bruce leaves, Braun and Watson sliding up a place in the rotation.
Thunder just keep stockpiling future picks.
Wonder if they cash in the picks for some stars to go alongside SGA Giddey Dort Williams.
Thunder should definitely pursue Naz Reid and Brook Lopez to finally give them stability at center. Or go in on Vucevic. I think Reid fits better.
Unpopular opinion but I’d dangle Holgrem, Jaylin Williams, Dieng, Pokusevski, Mann along with draft picks to bring in a star or 2.
Maybe they target Jaylen Brown. Send the Celtics Jaylin Williams, Holgrem, and the #12 this year plus 1 or 2 more firsts.
Maybe they target Anunoby and/or Siakam.