While Nikola Jokic is gone in a rafting session in the Serbian mountains, Michael Malone doesn't have his eyes glued to his television either. The first game of this NBA final between Celtics and Mavs? “ I'll be honest, I haven't watched it “, confides the Nuggets coach.
He assures that he will end up watching these meetings, “ at one point “, to learn. “ It's a challenge that I'm taking on. I learned it from my dad, all the years he had a huge impact on me, is that you're always watching and learning. And the moment you stop learning, you're not going to get better. I wouldn't be that person », he promises.
We recall that his father, Brendan, died last year. Former coach of the Raptors, for their first season in the NBA (1995/96), then of the Cavaliers, when he served as interim coach during LeBron James' second season (2004/05), he was better known for his influence as as an assistant, including two titles won with Chuck Daly's Pistons (1989, 1990).
If he is not able to follow the Finals today, it is because Michael Malone is still having difficulty digesting the elimination of his team in the second round of the playoffs, against the Wolves.
“ I still find it hard to sit and watch because I want to be there. I want to coach the Nuggets to the NBA Finals like we did last year, winning the first title in Nuggets history. Something we hope to do again in the very near future », continues the coach, reigning champion for a few more days.
He adds: “ But it's still a little too hard for me to sit and watch these games. » His positioning does not prevent him from saluting the work of the two protagonists who managed to participate until the last stage of the competition. Two teams that deserve to be there “.
