Michael Malone, the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, issued a stern warning to his team following a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite being the reigning champions, the Cavaliers showed no mercy as they dominated the Nuggets, exposing weaknesses in Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.’s two-man game against Jarrett Allen’s defense.
Expressing his dismay after the game, Malone emphasized his biggest disappointment: the perceived lack of effort from the Nuggets. Despite a decent start to the season, Malone acknowledged that the team needs to play with more intensity, especially considering they will face strong competition throughout the year.
In the game, Nikola Jokic contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in 28 minutes, while Michael Porter Jr. managed to score 21 points. However, their efforts were not enough to secure a victory, and Malone pointed out that the team’s performance did not meet the envisioned standard of Denver Nugget basketball.
Malone stressed the importance of defending, rebounding, and running as fundamental elements of their game. Against the Cavaliers, the Nuggets fell short in these areas, with Cleveland outrebounding them 47 to 33. The trio of Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Dean Wade contributed significantly to the Cavaliers’ dominance on the boards, collecting a combined total of 25 rebounds.
The Nuggets also struggled with fouls, committing three more than the Cavaliers, providing their opponents with additional opportunities to score from the free-throw line.
In conclusion, Malone acknowledged that the Nuggets have numerous areas to improve upon, particularly in defense and rebounding. Despite the disappointing loss, he emphasized that the team has the luxury of time to address these issues and elevate their overall performance.
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