Denver Nuggets Need to Step Up in Postseason, Says Michael Malone

Denver hasn’t gotten off to a great start this postseason, and Michael Malone said that needs to change.

DENVER — On the way to their championship NBA last season, the Denver Nuggets were also widely recognized for having arguably the best starting five in basketball.

The coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves Chris Finch said it before his team’s 106-99 victory in Game 1 on Saturdayqualifying the first unit of the Nuggets like “probably the most complete starting quintet and complementary to the league”.

But the Denver starters haven’t had a great start this postseasonand the Nuggets coach, Michael Malone pointed out that that must change.

Michael Malone, entrenador de los Denver Nuggets. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

“We have to do a better job, our starters in particular, have to do a better job of being ready to play and setting the tone early,” Malone noted after the Nuggets’ film session on Sunday. “What are we waiting for? I mean, now we’re down 0-1, what are you waiting for?”

In the Nuggets’ first-round matchup against The Los Angeles Lakers were outscored in the first quarter in four of the five games and were -23 in the fourth overall of the series.

In the first quarter of Game 1 to begin their second-round series against Minnesota, Nuggets outscored Wolves 25-23, but only after falling behind 18-4 and needing to expend energy to recover.

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“I talked to our players this morning about how for five games against the Lakers, we were down (pretty much) in every first quarter,” Malone said. “So do I think our guys are fully ready to give whatever it takes to try to defend our title? Of course we are. But at some point, you have to stop doing the same thing.”

One of the Nuggets that had a start Disappointing against Minnesota was point guard Jamal Murray. After getting the game questionable due to a left calf strain suffered against the LakersMurray did not score in the first half, and went 0 for 5.

When asked what the Wolves did to lock him down in the first place, Murray replied: “Nothing, I’ve gone scoreless many times before.”

He finished with 17 points (shooting 6 of 9 in the second half) and played 34 minutes.

“I’m fine,” Murray said. when asked about his health. “How many minutes did I play? It was good enough.”

As questions continued about his calf injury, Murray refused to acknowledge any limitations.

“I’m not going to make excuses, brother,” Murray replied. “Everyone has nagging injuries. Everyone is going through something at this point in the season. Honestly, my calf is no different than anyone else’s on the team or in the league. Obviously, it sucks, but it’s not something I like to talk about. about as part of the loss.

“It’s going to be part of (the race for the playoffs), and I have accepted it and there are counterattacks for everything. So I have to keep adjusting, we have to keep adjusting and find ways to get it done. I do not do it. I do not know, man”.

Last spring, the Nuggets never trailed in a series and did not lose a home game until the NBA Finals. They are now on the back foot after giving up home-field advantage to open the conference semifinals.

“This year is different,” Malone said. “It’s a different team. It’s a different setup. And now it’s a new challenge. So let’s accept that.

“We’re down. We didn’t want to be, but we are. So let’s fight like hell tomorrow night and leave it all out there.”

2024-05-05 20:45:00
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