As a head coach of a team that is starting to gain an identity, there are plenty of teachable moments — so when the Denver Nuggets lost their third straight game by allowing 120-plus points to their opponents, Mike Malone chose to step in and voice his thoughts.
“It's a joke. Right now, we have no leadership. We have no veteran leadership on this team stepping up,” Malone said, according to the Denver Post's Chris Dempsey. “Don't hear anyone speaking, taking the lead. We have two young guys trying to speak up on the team's behalf. You applaud them, but we need some leadership to shine and step up when we are struggling, which we are.”
The Nuggets are dead last on defense in the league during the last three games, allowing opponents to score 121.7 points per 100 possessions, even more dangerously by allowing that point total to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday's 120-113 loss.
“It's a losing proposition, offense sells tickets, defense wins championships. Right now our defense is the worst in the NBA,” Malone added, according to BSN Denver's Harrison Wind.
There seems to be some disconnect as that's not how the team's leading scorer and eight-year veteran Danilo Gallinari feels about the situation.
“I don't agree with that. That's definitely not the problem with this team,” Gallinari said. “Every veteran on this team can agree with me. So, I don't agree with that.”
Malone's words are bound to ruffle some feathers, but if it can make one or two vets step up to prove him wrong, his words would have caused the awareness they needed.
Follow Us
Subscribe