Following a gratifying win or a frustrating loss, Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone has completed a consistent ritual that makes him feel either validated, reflective or questioned.
Malone will turn on his phone. He does not do so to scroll through the latest social media reactions on the Nuggets’ successes or shortcomings. Malone does so because he knows he will receive a lengthy text or phone call from his father, whom he considered “probably the No. 1 Denver Nuggets fan in the world” for reasons that go beyond parental support. His dad is former longtime NBA coach Brendan Malone, whom his son considered “a great resource” after having varying assistant coaching gigs for over 28 years.
“There might be things I agree with, and sometimes things I don’t agree with. But it’s always great when somebody is giving you honest feedback,” Michael Malone told USA TODAY Sports. “You know it’s coming from a place of love because they want you to do as well as you can possibly do. I feel really lucky in that regard.”
Malone feels lucky for many reasons, some that pertain to basketball and some that pertain to more important matters.
The basketball?
Malone relished the Nuggets advancing to the Western Conference Finals in last season’s bubble after overcoming 3-1 series deficits both to the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. Malone expressed confidence in this season’s Nuggets (24-16) which are seeded fifth in the Western Conference amid players missing a combined 93 games due to injuries, fielding 13 different starting lineups and having two postponed games because of COVID-19 protocols.
“I wouldn’t say this is exactly what we wanted. But I’m proud of where we are,” Malone said. “I’m proud of the fact that when things weren’t going our way, we never got down on ourselves.”
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