Stephen A. Smith APOLOGIZES to defending champions Denver Nuggets for predicting Wolves to sweep

The Denver Nuggets came right back up and snatched game 3 from the T-Wolves despite criticism.

Stephen A. Smith APOLOGIZES to defending champions Denver Nuggets for predicting Wolves to sweep

Stephen A. Smith apologizes to the Nuggets for predicting a sweep against the Timberwolves.

Despite trailing big, it is never a good idea to count a team as good as the Denver Nuggets out from the competition. NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith had to learn this the hard way. After the Minnesota Timberwolves took the 2-0 lead in the first round of playoffs, Smith predicted that the Nuggets would get swept in the series. But Denver came right back up and snatched game 3 from the T-Wolves.

After the Denver Nuggets‘ whopping 27-point win on Friday, Stephen A. Smith was left with no choice but to apologize for his claim. During ESPN’s NBA Countdown, Smith acknowledged the Nuggets’ defending champions’ reputation in the dominant game. 

I owe the champions an apology. They are the champions for a reason. And they showed up and reminded the world last night what champions are made of.
Stephen A. Smith via NBA Countdown
YouTube video

Smith switched gears and praised the Nuggets for their incredible shooting night after being down 0-2. The analyst further spoke highly of the team’s talent, with praise for Jamal Murray‘s first-half performance and Michael Malone‘s coaching. Smith also mentioned the team’s success at slowing down Anthony Edwards.

FS Video

The Minnesota Timberwolves‘ win in the first two games was impressive but predicting the reigning champions‘ sweep was a bit far-fetched. The Nuggets were forceful in the third game, as they did not give a single quarter-ending lead to the T-wolves. Nuggets’ fans were joyous after Smith’s apology as the series has become more interesting.

Mike Malone used critics’ words to motivate the Nuggets for game 3

As Smith himself mentioned, Nuggets head coach Mike Malone is a great coach if not one of the best in the league. Hence, the HC used a great strategy to motivate the reigning champions after mediocre performance and receiving criticism from the analysts.

Along with Smith, many other analysts called out the Nuggets for two consecutive losses and predicted the worse situation for the team’s future in the series. Malone in the press conference revealed that he made a two-minute edit of every critic who predicted the team’s downfall and showed it to the players. 

I knew that this would maybe strike a chord deep inside you, to say, 'Hey man, everybody and their brother is saying you're out, you're done. You guys can't play with this team. They're better than you.' If that doesn't resonate within you as a competitor, I don't know what will. So yes, our guys answered the bell and they showed me that they still believe.
Michael Malone at the post-game presser

During the NBA countdown, Malika Andrews subtly added that Smith’s take might have also made the cut in Malone’s video. Despite declining, Smith went ahead and apologized after his claim was turned against him.

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