Nuggets Show Resilience Despite Preseason Loss to Suns
In what turned out to be a tightly contested preseason encounter, the Denver Nuggets fell to the Phoenix Suns with a scoreline of 118-114. While the result may not tip the scales in any significant standings, it did provide a rich tapestry of insights, revealing both the rust and readiness of the Nuggets as they gear up for the season ahead.
The familiar face at the helm, head coach Michael Malone, took a tactical dive with his seasoned squad during the game. “Played that starting unit the whole third quarter to try to push their envelope a little bit,” Malone noted post-game. The decision, while a bold approach, seemed motivated by a desire to assess his team’s early-season conditioning. "That was probably a little bit hard on some of those guys." Malone candidly conceded this, touching on his philosophy that “so often as coaches and modern-day NBA, the league has gotten so soft. Everybody's afraid to condition and run. Well, we have to.” This remark underlines the evolving dynamics of the game where stamina is as much a weapon as skill.
The absence of Jamal Murray in the latter half due to a knee concern was a noticeable hiccup in the Nuggets' structure. His premature exit saw Malone relying on the likes of Christian Braun and Julian Swather to fill the void. This presented an opportunity for the bench players to rise to the occasion, testing the depth and flexibility of the roster.
Michael Porter Jr., another luminary in the Nuggets lineup, echoed sentiments of relentless conditioning. "The better conditioned you are, the most opportunities will find you because you're just always moving,” Porter expressed, capturing his aspirational ethos for the season, noting, "That's a big goal for me this year."
The backdrop of this preseason game bears memories of past playoff struggles, notably the Nuggets' previous year's playoff ouster at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves after holding a 3-2 series lead. The whispers of such an unexpected exit linger, reminding the Nuggets of the sharp edge they’ll need to maintain through a full campaign.
Adding another layer of complexity to the Nuggets' current mix is the offseason departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic. His absence leaves a gap not only in play but in experience and presence on the court.
As the Nuggets dissect this preseason performance, there's a palpable sense that these preparatory skirmishes against seasoned rivals like the Suns offer more than just a glimpse into their potential; they serve as crucibles where players are forged for the high-pressure demands of the regular season. Coach Malone's inclination to push his starters through the rigors of a full quarter reflects a commitment not just to evaluate, but to prepare them for the long haul.
In the broader spectrum of the NBA preseason, results are often secondary to the revelations they bring. Denver's loss to Phoenix, while momentarily stinging, unravels a narrative of readiness and recalibration. It provides a canvas for Malone and his squad to iterate on strategies and build chemistry, ensuring they emerge stronger, polished, and poised for the journey ahead.
The Nuggets remain squarely in the shadows of potential. Learning from the past, they tread carefully, each step resonating with lessons and insights, amidst the energetic hum of the upcoming season.