The Nuggets lost at home for the second time in four days on Monday, falling by a score of 145-118 to the Knicks. Asked by a reporter during his post-game media session if he was prepared to “flush” the game and move on, head coach Michael Malone strongly pushed back on that idea (Twitter video link via DNVR Sports).
“F–k that, no, no, no. We’re not flushing,” Malone said. “You don’t flush when you get embarrassed. You don’t flush when you gave up 145 points. You don’t flush when you didn’t play hard, didn’t play with effort, didn’t play with physicality. I’m not flushing anything.”
Malone praised Russell Westbrook, who scored a team-high 27 points, for his willingness to be “vocal” on and off the court, but said he’d like to see more of that sort of leadership from players who have been cornerstones in Denver for years.
“I need Nikola Jokic, I need Jamal Murray,” Malone said. “I need guys that have been here in that starting lineup to be vocal.”
The Nuggets have been without starting forward Aaron Gordon since November 4 due to a calf injury, and Jokic and Murray have each missed a few games, but Malone doesn’t view that as an excuse for a modest 9-7 record and what he views as an inconsistent compete level so far this season.
“Regardless of who’s in (and) who’s out, who do we want to be as a team?” Malone said. “Leadership would be great. toughness would be great. Physicality would be great. Playing like you actually care would be great. We didn’t do that tonight.
“… We’re just fooling ourselves,” Malone added later. “Yes, (the Knicks) are a good team, but if that’s the effort we’re going to give forth, we won’t even be close to being a playoff team.”
Jokic agreed with Malone’s assessment, telling reporters that the Nuggets needed “a good punch in the face just to wake up” and said the players “collectively need to do a better job” (link via ESPN.com). Murray agreed that it was on the players, not the coaches, to figure things out and wondered if staying in Los Angeles overnight after Saturday’s win vs. the Lakers might’ve played a part in the team’s sluggishness on Monday.
“It’s a long season. Guys have lives outside of basketball,” Murray said (Twitter video link via Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports). “We just beat L.A. in L.A. We’ve got some guys who live in L.A., so (we) stayed in L.A. I don’t think the focus was there from everybody, and that’s what happens when you don’t have the focus.”
The Nuggets are currently tied with the Suns for the seventh-best record in a crowded Western Conference and sit just one game ahead of the No. 11 Timberwolves.
Another Westbrook team bites the dust…
Uhh… he was the only Nug who gave a snit
Yeah, it’s Westbrook’s fault.
Big thoughts.
Maybe you guys aren’t just talented enough to beat the Knicks? Can’t believe I’m defending the Knicks, but the talent disparity is not exactly a hidden secret for most people who are close with the NBA.
I certainly think they’re talented enough to not get blown out by 27 and allow 145 points. No non-tanking team should be content with that
Knicks just lost to Utah the game prior. Denver certainly has enough talent to beat them, or at least to not give up 145 points. Knicks had wide open looks all night and only needed 14 FT to get to 145. Westbrook was the only one out there who looked like he cared.
The Knicks made their 3s and when it gets hot from that line the disparity grows. I know the coach has to say something and telling the media they gotta “try harder” may please the fans. These things happen.
Michael Malone rips one and won’t flush. Something stinks in Denver…
Judging by that quote from Murray, you’re definitely not going to get any leadership out of him. And what even was his point? Are the Nuggets the only team in the NBA with lives outside of basketball? Have the Nuggets only lacked effort when playing in LA? Since the answer to both questions is no, he’s just making excuses. Not at all surprising coming from a guy who has come into prior seasons out of shape and struggles to stay healthy.
Agreed. Murray has no leadership, and his play this year is awful. He’s only shot better than 50% in a game once this year. His shooting numbers are the worst since maybe his rookie year. Even his FT% is way off his career average. He got the big contract and a championship and doesn’t appear to care as much as he used to.
So let me get this straight, after being down at the half the Nuggets come back like it’s the Finals to trounce the Lakers, (Westbrook gets to run around screaming like a petty child, still holding all that Laker money). All the expected Laker hate and LeBum memes pour out. “Who’s the Lakers Daddy” etc, internally it was that Lakers didn’t care or try or got psyched out who knows…
Nuggets proceed to return to Denver, play the Knicks, mentally don’t show up and have the very same thing happen to them that had just happened to the Lakers!? Same internal mayhem of players not caring, trying, leading…like they shot their whole load in LA, it’s freaking comical. At this point when it comes to Lakers/Nuggets, I’m not sure who’s living in who’s head more. Hey Jamal Murray, unfortunately you can’t play 82 games against the Lakers, figure it out
????? Laker money ……you are outdated lol.
Knicks were hot. It happens.
Nuggets 9-7 and a gm and a half out of 4th seed. A Laker team they just owned.
Knicks coming back after a bad loss to Jazz.
Not even 20 gms in yet. Teams are still finding their groove. Enjoy the season for once. ………
On a good note. Looks like Precious will be back soon. Starting to work out with team. Precious will definitely impact our D. Probably where we need most help. NYK
I don’t know if its intentional but malone played his starters even when the Lakers pulled out all their starters…
Malone is right, but its the way the league is right now. DEN was missing its only remaining defensive stalwart, but the kind of the defensive effort they put in last night was about capitulation more than anything else. I see it all over the league. Teams play defense selectively on an “is it worth it” basis, and, of course, that means they aren’t very good at it even when they are motivated.
The NYK teams of the early 1970’s essentially defined the concepts of ball movement and team play on the professional level of the sport. Yet, none of those teams ever had as many as 45 assists in a game. While this is likely the most offensively talented NYK team since those teams, they’re still learning each other, as evidenced by other recent games. On the road against a top team, it’s hard to imagine this was all about the NYK offense. Certainly Malone doesn’t need to treat it that way.
Should have resigned KCP