If Michael Malone has perfectly found the tactical solution against the Heat’s zone defense in the Finals, the Nuggets coach obviously does not want to be seen as a big brain.
Because for him, it is not in this area that he made the difference. “The best are not the greatest tacticians, the best with game systems”he announces to denver post. “Faith is important, in sport and in life. That’s coaching, it’s not just designing systems. It’s all about building relationships and building trust. »
For the 2023 champion, systems are not enough to define a great coach, to make him win. The human and psychological aspect is also crucial.
“You have to know how to apply your systems to do this job but there are a lot of great tacticians who never win the title because they don’t have the ability to build relationships, to communicate a belief to the players. I learned that from my father a long time ago: the greatest gift you can give to a player is confidence. If Christian Braun doesn’t think I trust him, he will be tense during the Finals. But if the same player knows that I support him, then he will play freely. »
The Denver coach followed the advice of Gregg Popovich, a great champion but also a very great psychologist with his troops, to be “himself”so to be “brutally honest with the players”.
An attitude welcomed by the president of the Nuggets. “He knows about game systems, but what I’ve always liked about him is that he’s a great communicator”explains Josh Kroenke
