For the first time in his stint as Nuggets coach, the pressure is on Michael Malone. Here in Denver, we’re sick and tired of hearing the same old yada yada about player development and establishing a culture. This team needs to make the playoffs. Not next year. Now. In 2018.
So with the Denver offense gone stagnant, team energy on the wane and a berth in the Western Conference playoffs slip-sliding away, Malone needed to do something, anything to shake the Nuggets from their dead-of-winter doldrums.
So Malone made a strategic gamble Tuesday. He changed the starting lineup, opting for small ball, replacing 6-foot-11 Mason Plumlee with Will Barton, the electric guard who has been among the best sixth men in the league.