Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
LOS ANGELES — J.J. Hickson does not fish for compliments from coaches. But he'll take them when they're lobbed his way.
Recently, Nuggets coach Michael Malone texted Hickson as a technological pat on the back. Hickson's playing time, once plentiful, had pretty much dried up. Joffrey Lauvergne and Nikola Jokic have played all of the center minutes available. But in practices, Hickson's work ethic remained high.
"It's not easy," Malone said. "J.J.'s a vet, been in the league, been on some good teams, and put up some good numbers.