DENVER — Added perspective is getting packed for the Nuggets journey to Oklahoma Metropolis.
After Tuesday’s observe, the staff hosted a exercise for Particular Olympics athletes on the Ball Area court docket. The grins and interactions helped put Sunday’s efficiency in opposition to the beforehand winless Lakers in a special gentle.
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“Yeah, you’re pissed off. We didn’t play good protection in L.A. We’re 4-3. Then, you go to Particular Olympics and spend a while with wonderful girls and boys, women and men. It hits you within the coronary heart,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned after Wednesday’s observe. “I used to be happy with our staff yesterday — coaches, gamers and workers — as a result of anytime you’ve an opportunity to present someone your time, probably the most worthwhile commodity there may be — to present them your time, your consideration, your like to deliver a smile to a face, that’s invaluable. That’s life. That’s massive image. Typically you bought to take these blinders off and say, ‘OK, what actually issues?’ Yesterday actually mattered. It was an excellent day for everyone concerned.”
Nikola Jokic led a passing drill and had enjoyable sharing a few of his secrets and techniques. The 2-time Most Invaluable Participant referred to as the expertise “exceptional,” after Wednesday’s observe.
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“I like to do these issues, simply to see the grins, simply to see the reactions. I feel it’s an excellent factor. The entire staff and NBA wants to try this extra,” Jokic mentioned.
“They’ve particular vitality.”
The Nuggets will get one other dose of perspective after they journey to Memphis later this season. Malone mentioned there are plans to go to St. Jude Youngsters’s Analysis Hospital.
Whereas added perspective is a optimistic, the hope is there’s nonetheless room within the staff’s baggage for protection to tag alongside for Thursday’s matchup in opposition to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. The younger Thunder are one of many league’s early surprises with a 4-3 report.
“They play with numerous vitality,” Jokic mentioned. “Their set performs are actually aggressive. They’re aggressive drivers.”
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Gilgeous-Alexander, a shifty ball-dominant guard who Malone referred to as an “All-Star,” is averaging 31.5 factors, 6.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks to start out the season. The Nuggets are 1-3 in 4 street video games this season after permitting 125.5 factors per sport. The Thunder almost spoiled the Nuggets’ home-opener, scoring 50 factors within the paint and besting Denver 18-5 in transition factors. Denver wanted sizzling capturing nights from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Porter Jr. and a triple-double from Nikola Jokic to beat the Thunder 122-117 on Oct. 22.
“Each time we play them it looks like it’s a really hard-fought sport, win or lose,” Malone mentioned.
“Tomorrow night time goes to be a hell of a problem to see if our protection is able to journey.”