“This is embarrassing!” Before 3rd quarter riot, Michael Malone had brutal feedback for Nuggets stars

NBA head coach Michael Malone went off at his stars for their poor defense during recent matchup against the Hawks.

“This is embarrassing!” Before 3rd quarter riot, Michael Malone had brutal feedback for Nuggets stars

Michael Malone

With their third straight victory over the Atlanta Hawks, the Denver Nuggets maintained their recent winning streak. It looks like the team has gotten into gear after Nikola Jokic made some tough remarks regarding their performances. However, this particular performance did not impress their head coach, Michael Malone.

Gaining victories is always crucial, and the Nuggets have been doing just that in their most recent games.
Coach Malone, meanwhile, was not satisfied with the defensive efforts of the teams. Malone criticized the teams’ first-half performance harshly in a media interview. Not only that, but he also explained what it would take to win on a consistent basis in the league.

At halftime, I just told our guys ‘This is embarrassing.’ There were too many examples in the first half where we were literally just jogging back and it looks like we’re just trying to outscore teams. If we’re going to be serious about winning at a high level and trying to make the playoffs and win a playoff series you can’t just give up 70-plus points in a half and allow teams to outrun you in transition and crash the glass with offensive rebounds.

Michael Malone told the media

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses for the Nuggets, who conceded 71 points in the first half despite winning 139-120, which currently puts them fourth in the Western Conference with a 19-13 record. The Nuggets allowed the Hawks to get 12 offensive rebounds, several of which came early in the game. In his post-game news conference, Michael Porter Jr. also brought attention to Coach Malone’s remarks regarding the team’s subpar defense.

He stated that they might be conserving too much energy. Aside from this, Nikola Jokic has been their bright light this season. The Serbian demonstrated why he is in the running for MVP by securing yet another triple-double. When the Nuggets play the San Antonio Spurs, a formidable team that features the skills of Victory Wembanyama, they will undoubtedly want to get off to a fast start.

Michael Malone had high praise for Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook had yet another iconic night. With 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, he recorded a triple-double. Along with Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis, he became the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double with a perfect shooting percentage and no turnovers.

His head coach Michael Malone was full of praise for him during the post-match press conference.

First ballot hall of famer, one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, what I admire so much about him aside from the leadership and toughness that he brings every single day, is he got no EGO. He came here for one reason and that’s to help us win a championship.

Michael Malone told the reporters

Westbrook is shooting 31.2% from three and 44.7% from the field this season, averaging 12.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals a game. The 36-year-old has contributed significantly to the Nuggets’ success this season, despite not being the MVP-caliber player he once was. All eyes will be on Westbrook’s form going forward into the season.