Michael Malone Could Be the Edge the Nuggets Need
The Decline of the Nuggets’ Defense
The Denver Nuggets have been experiencing a significant drop in their defensive performance this season. Their defense, which used to be a key component of their success, has become noticeably weaker and less physical compared to previous years. This shift has raised questions about what exactly has changed and why the team is struggling to maintain its former level of intensity.
One possible explanation comes from Brian Scalabrine, a former player and current analyst for the Nuggets. He suggests that the change in coaching staff might be a contributing factor. Scalabrine mentions that the transition from Michael Malone to David Adelman on the sidelines could be responsible for the lack of edge that the team once had. According to him, Malone brought a certain ruggedness to the game that Adelman doesn’t seem to possess, and this missing element may be affecting the team’s defensive performance.
Scalabrine, who played for the Boston Celtics and now serves as an analyst for the Nuggets, was not shy about his criticism of the team’s defense during an appearance on “The Zach Lowe Show.” He pointed out that under Malone, the Nuggets looked imposing, big, and physically dominant. However, that sense of toughness seems to have disappeared.
A Staggering Defensive Performance
This lack of physicality has been evident in recent games. For instance, the Nuggets allowed the Utah Jazz to score 84 points in the paint, which is the highest number they’ve conceded in the paint since the 1996-97 season. The Jazz, who are tanking for a better draft pick, appeared to be practicing layups throughout the game, with players executing a three-player weave down the court.
The Nuggets were unable to stop the Jazz in the paint, and no one seemed to get a body on anyone. The result was a disastrous defensive performance. The Jazz shot 56% from the floor, but they only managed to hold a 10-point lead for five and a half minutes before switching up their strategy and starting to take jump shots.
Despite the defensive struggles, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray delivered strong performances, helping the Nuggets secure a win in the clutch. However, the question remains: can the Nuggets return to the level of defense that Scalabrine believes they are capable of?
A Historical Perspective
Scalabrine noted that the Nuggets had a good chance at being a top-10 defense at the start of the season. In fact, during the 2023-24 season, the team finished with a defensive rating of 112.3, ranking eighth in the league. This shows that the Nuggets have the potential to be a strong defensive team, but that potential is currently unfulfilled.
Currently, the Nuggets have a defensive rating of 116.2, which places them 21st in the NBA. This is actually worse than their 21st-place finish last season. In the last five games, all of which the Nuggets have won, their defensive rating has soared to an alarming 121.3.
Offense vs. Defense
While the defense has taken a hit, the offense has seen a noticeable improvement. Over the same five-game span, the Nuggets have an offensive rating of 128.7, which is the highest in the league. This suggests that the team is finding ways to compensate for their defensive shortcomings by scoring more efficiently.
However, the question still lingers: will the Nuggets be able to regain the toughness and physicality that they once had under Michael Malone? Scalabrine believes it’s possible, but it will require a significant shift in the team’s approach and mindset.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Nuggets can find their way back to being a well-rounded team, both offensively and defensively.
