A week ago, the Nuggets were down 2-0 after two home matches against Wolves. The defending champions had been stifled in a stunning manner by a top-notch defense, and as the series continued in Minnesota, hopes were low.
A week later, Michael Malone's troops have just won the two matches in Minneapolis and the series is now tied (2-2) before returning to Colorado. Quite a champion response.
“What I discovered is that Rudy Tomjanovich was right: you should never underestimate the heart of a champion,” comments the Nuggets coachin reference to the famous phrase of the former Rockets coach in 1995. “We were quickly buried but these guys won the title a year ago, winning two matches in a row in Miami in the Finals. This team has been tested again and again and found a way to answer that. »
“I love that people don’t count on us”
Have the Nuggets done the hardest part by coming back to two everywhere? “The series is still far from over. We’re not celebrating anything, we’re at 2-2…”recalls Michael Malone. “But what I discovered about this group is that they believe in themselves. Above all, the players believe in the one who is next. We have a group that performs as you would expect from a champion team. »
Pride was a perfect driving force for Denver. Before Game 3, the coach had shown his players “ a two-minute montage with all these people giving their opinions, who explained that the series was over and that it was wrapped up.” Giving up on the Nuggets was obviously the worst thing to do…
“I love that people don’t count on us”laughs Aaron Gordon. “Many of us have been sidelined during our careers. They have been outsiders, working in the shadows, with their backs to the wall, being neglected. So nothing new for them. This was new for our collective, but I love this challenge and I am happy to accept it. »
