In Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone's opinion, veteran power forward Paul Millsap is the team's steadying influence.
More specifically, Malone dubbed Millsap “the calm on our team” after the Nuggets dismantled the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on May 7, 124-98.
"He is the calm on our team."
Nuggets coach Michael Malone has high praise for Paul Millsap after his 24-point performance in Game 5.#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yUFhX3SF13
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 8, 2019
Millsap scored 19 of his 24 points in the first 24 minutes of play. He scored 12 points in the first quarter. Millsap then caught a fancy behind-the-back pass from Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray and completed a four-point play just before halftime.
The Nuggets, who led by as many as 31 points at one point, never looked back.
Murray, who had 18 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in Game 5, backed up Malone's assessment of Millsap. He told Eric Spyropoulos of the Nuggets' official website before the playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs that Millsap is the team's “glue guy.”
Paul is that glue guy on and off the court. On the court, he pushes us, he talks to us as the most as a veteran.
He's one of those guys that always has the right thing to say, so guys look forward to hearing him talk.
Paul Millsap (19 PTS, 5 REB) was cooking in the first half! ♨️#MileHighBasketball#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nudB5ZO1Lf
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 8, 2019
Millsap had averaged almost 18 points (on 55.7 percent shooting), 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game against the Blazers in the first four games, per Spyropoulos.
In contrast, Millsap averaged 11.9 points on 47.4 percent shooting against the Spurs in the first round. The stats speak for themselves – he has stepped up on both ends of the court. That spells bad news for the Trail Blazers.
The Nuggets are seeking their first NBA championship. In order to accomplish that, they need a savvy veteran who will right their ship. Paul Millsap fits the bill perfectly.
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