The Denver Nuggets’ head coach, Michael Malone, has proven loyal to his stars.
The Situation:
It was a November road match vs the Lakers. Denver was down by 18 in the second quarter. Jokic missed a chip shot…after a mugging fit for an NFL quarterback. Jokic threw his hands in frustration. But that wasn’t the end.
Denver Nuggets
Michael Malone suddenly stormed onto the court mid-play.
Going chest-to-chest with the closest referee, Malone quickly earned a trip to the showers. Jokic was subsequently ejected.
Denver lost that game. But won four of it’s next six. Including a thumping of that same Laker team two weeks later (ESPN).
The Visual:
Malone went crazy. And Denver fans loved it! The normally pleasant-tempered Malone angrily met the official mid court. He roared profanity and fired insults. It was a prompt ejection…and earned him the next night off as well.
Jokic, meanwhile, was tossed for barely a word. This was undoubtedly a carry-over effect from Malone’s tirade.
The Effect:
Could this tech have been a fire-up move? Maybe. More likely this was a show of support for Denver’s young star.
Malone has proved loyal to his players. And it’s paying dividends. Player relationships are an increasingly important facet. Think this isn’t important?
Ask DeMar Derozan and the Toronto Raptors.
Malone’s technical showed Jokic his support. The image is stuck permanently in Jokic’s mind. Every time he’s asked to do something at practice? Or told a game strategy he doesn’t agree with? Nikola knows Coach has his back.
Malone almost tackled a referee for him.
Recently Mike visited Jokic in Serbia, joining him at horses races (Bleacher Report). This is a further display of support for his young star. He also visited Junacho Hernangomez in Spain.
It was Malone’s relationship with IT that brought the former MVP-candidate to Denver for pennies.
“(Malone) was a guy that trusted me from the jump,” Thomas said per The Denver Post. “He believed in me, and when he was able to coach me he allowed me to play through mistakes.”
But the tech may have given Denver some juice. They won four of the next six.
Add the angry tech to the playbook, Coach.