Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone isn't very surprised to see his starting power forward Paul Millsap thrive within his system, recently giving the team an average of 19 points and 9.6 rebounds per game through five games, aiding the Nuggets to a 3-2 lead in their series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I think we came into this knowing how impactful (Millsap) could be with this lineup,” said Malone, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “He’s been phenomenal, but it’s not surprising for any of us.”
Despite not being the scorer he used to be during the regular season, Millsap has more than made up for taking a back seat as a key offensive player to take a role as a leader, often serving as guidance for the young players in the roster.
“Off the court, he gives you 13 years of experience,” said Malone. “To have a guy with that many playoff games, sitting next to a Torrey Craig, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley, Monte Morris, guys that have never even come close to the playoffs. That experience, that mentorship means a lot.”
“I think that’s really calming and reassuring for such a young group of players.”
Yet it was Millsap who made all the difference in Games 4 and 5, posting 21 and 24 points, respectively — giving the Nuggets frontcourt that additional threat to give Nikola Jokic some breathing room.
The Louisiana native has been part of the playoffs with the Utah Jazz, the Atlanta Hawks, and now the Nuggets, giving him a wide spectrum of how to navigate these moments, now a game away from punching his ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
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