Michael Malone already laying the groundwork with next year’s excuses
May 4, 2022, 4:19 PM
Michael Malone finally met the media for his end-of-the-season press conference on Wednesday. The Nuggets head coach missed last week’s press gathering because he had come down with the flu.
During the Q&A session, Malone did what he often does when things don’t go well; he pointed the finger of blame. After getting swept by Phoenix last season in the second round and then losing in five games to Golden State in this year’s opening round, Denver is just 1-8 in their last nine playoff games.
Most people blame that on the injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Malone, however says it goes deeper than that issue.
“Our defense against Golden State was not good enough,” the head coach said. “We had the 16th-ranked defense in the playoffs, which is dead last.”
This was a continuation of a season-long problem.
“In the half court, our inability to guard one-on-one and contain the ball led to a lot of rim attacks,” Malone continued. “We were 30th in opponents’ rim field-goal percentage. We were 29th in blocks per game.”
Why? Well, to a large extent it was because of personnel.
“That’s a bad combination if you struggle to guard the ball on the perimeter and you don’t have Dikembe Mutombo blocking shots behind you,” the coach continued. “You bleed at the rim.”
Malone went on to praise Austin Rivers, saying that the guard showed a lot during his time in Denver during the last two seasons. He also thinks Aaron Gordon is a great defensive player.
So who is he talking about? Well, it could be Will Barton, Monte Morris or Jeff Green. Those three started alongside Gordon and Nikola Jokic during the playoffs.
Of course, Malone was the one who gave those players extended minutes during the postseason. While fans and some media members called for more of Bones Hyland, DeMarcus Cousins and even Zeke Nnaji, the head coach stuck with his veteran players.
“To be a dangerous, deep playoff team, you have to have an elite defense,” Malone continued. “That’s one of the areas we have to improve on.”
During the offseason, the head coach believes the Nuggets need to make some moves, calling it the “biggest offseason since I’ve been here.” He doesn’t believe Denver is a title-contender as currently constructed.
“Everybody just wants to say, ‘Well, it’s just Michael and Jamal coming back healthy,'” Malone added. “That’s just a starting block; it doesn’t end there.”
He put the pressure on the Nuggets to build around Jokic.
“We have to capitalize while we have a special player in Nikola and do everything that we can as an organization to put the best players around him to give ourselves the best chance to win the world championship,” Malone said. “We have a window and I think windows are only open so long. We have a 27-year-old phenom who will hopefully soon be named a back-to-back MVP.”
Malone would like to see his team add some toughness. He believes that’s part of what was missing in each of the last two playoff exits.
“The best perimeter defenders are tough dudes,” he said.
Of course, that’s not the only area in which the Nuggets need to improve. Malone also believes that his star player can get better in one crucial area.
“He’s got to find his voice even more,” the head coach said. “He can be a great leader.”
So he needs better players. Getting back Murray and Porter Jr. won’t solve the trick. And the best player on the planet has to be a better leader.
Got it. Give him the perfect ingredients and Malone can cook a masterpiece. Or so he implies.
But even if those things happen, don’t expect big things right away. Even though the Nuggets essentially punted on this season in order to be healthy for next year, there shouldn’t be lofty expectations.
“(It’s) tempered excitement,” Malone said when asked about Murray and MPJ returning. “As the season goes along, they’re going to get more and more comfortable. They’re going to get their rhythm back, their confidence back and then, they’re going to get back to their old selves.”
In other words, the coach was buying some time. There shouldn’t be any panic if the Nuggets don’t come out firing on all cylinders.
“That’s not going to be the case come October,” Malone said when talking about his players being back to speed at the start of the season. “We have to have patience.”
He’s certainly willing to do so.
“Take it slow,” Malone said of his approach. “(I’m) not expecting ‘bubble’ Jamal Murray and ‘peak’ Michael Porter right away.”
So last season was wasted because of the Murray injury. This year was toast due to Murray not returning and MPJ hurting his back. And next year probably won’t start off as well as people expect.
For those keeping track, Malone already laid the groundwork for next season’s excuses. He put multiple in place today.
He needs tougher dudes who can play defense. It’s on the players.
He needs the organization to step up and build around Jokic. It’s on the front office.
He needs time, as injured players won’t be ready after 12-18 months on the shelf. It’s on the misfortune of injuries.
“We can’t rest on our laurels,” Malone concluded. “We haven’t done anything.”
That much is true. It’s just a shame the head coach doesn’t take any accountability for the past, and potentially future, failings.
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