Denver Stiffs - Exit Interviews: 2018-19 Denver Nuggets

Exit Interview: Tim Connelly

2019-05-22T14:11:56-06:00

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Connelly is staying in Denver

Tim Connelly spent his weekend traveling to Maryland for a meeting with the owner of the Washington Wizards, Ted Leonsis. There are disputing reports as to the details of the offer the Wizards presented Connelly if they indeed made one. But ultimately, Connelly chose to see through the NBA’s latest successful rebuild, citing loyalty and personal relationships as the deciding factors.

“First of all, Josh (Kroenke) is such great owner,” Connelly told the media when asked to articulate why he decided to stay. “We had this discussion months and months ago—if they were ever dumb enough to call me then I’d love to have the conversation. I had a really nice conversation with Mr. Leonsis and his staff. He is a fantastic owner, and I think a real visionary. I was very impressed by who he was and his thoughts for the team. That team’s going to be special quickly under his leadership. So we just had a conversation, it was not much more than that.

Loyalty and patience are such a rarity in professional sports, and that’s here in spades. Those things matter to me. It matters to me, the relationships that I have across this whole building; it’s not just specific to basketball operations. Business people, the ticket salespeople have been fantastic, the communications people. You kind of close your eyes and envision yourself somewhere else, and you think about those relationships, and I had a hard time envisioning myself elsewhere.”

Connelly also spoke on the season that just wrapped, as he would at any exit interview.

“Great season, really proud of everything we’ve accomplished. Can’t believe it’s been a couple of weeks since our last game here. We set some high goals when we broke camp in San Diego, return to the playoffs, home court, win the division—we were able to check all of those boxes. Fantastic series against San Antonio, the golden standard of NBA franchises. A heartbreaking loss to Portland in 7 games—which I thought, I’m far from objective, but I thought it was the most entertaining playoff series that I saw. Not an ounce of disappointment, all pride about the season.”

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel:

Exit Interview: Michael Malone

2019-05-21T16:07:38-06:00

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets spoke with the media for the final time of the 2018-19 season

Head Coach of the Denver Nuggets, Michael Malone, took the podium ahead of Tim Connelly as they addressed the media for the final time of the 2018-19 season Tuesday Morning.

“I think we sent a pretty loud message,” Malone replied when asked what the Nuggets proved this season. “I think there were questions about our team all year long, for whatever reason. How legitimate are they? Are they really a number 2 seed? Can they take their game into the playoffs with so many young guys that have never been there before? I would say we answered so many questions about our team in the best way possible.”

When asked for a reaction to the news that Tim Connelly will be staying in Denver, Malone joked that he had mixed feelings, but he was clear about why retaining Tim is a significant development:

“I think I speak for a lot of people within this organization from top-to-bottom. This past weekend, with Tim talking to the Wizards—I didn’t want to see him leave. And when I say that, I have complete confidence that Artūras Karnišovas would have done a great job. We wouldn’t have skipped a beat. But I also realize that I am the head coach in Denver because of Tim Connelly. My relationship with him goes back a long time, and so does his belief in me. I wanted to see this thing through with him as a partner.

I know we say a lot, and I hope you guys understand where this is coming from—there are 30 teams in the NBA. And I can’t imagine there’s another team, from ownership, front office, and coaching staff, that has the relationship and the alignment that we have. And that’s something that neither Tim, myself, nor Josh take for granted. I love the fact that Tim decided to stay here with us so he can continue to build and bring a championship home to the city of Denver, which is what drives all of us. If he had left, I would have been happy for him because he would have been going home. And you can never fault somebody for doing that. But selfishly, I’m thrilled he’s staying here, and we have a chance to challenge each other and work together.”

Watch Malone’s press conference here:

Exit Interview: Will Barton

2019-05-13T20:35:27-06:00

Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

It was a difficult year for Will Barton on an individual level and he admitted as much in his final availability of the season

Will Barton was an integral part of this team’s incremental improvement last season, but he suffered the first significant injury of his career and his lost his way during the recovery. His confidence came in glimpses but flickered out in some crucial moments.

“A little bit of both,” Barton replied during his exit interview when asked if he was frustrated or motivated by playing with the second unit by season’s end. “Frustrated about it about, but definitely motivated to come back even better. Just a tough season for me mentally, physically, everything. But that will motivate me. I’ll be good.”

That was not the season Thrill had in mind for himself. But don’t count him out, and don’t succumb to revisionist history about his work in seasons past. Barton has plenty to offer this team, and the latest challenges that life has presented him with will test his resiliency. He’s comfortable in that space.

Watch his exit interview:

2018-19 Exit Interview: Nikola Jokic

2019-05-13T19:50:10-06:00

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Jokic spoke to the media on Monday following last night’s playoff exit.

Nikola Jokic conducted his exit interview today and spoke about his plans to return to Serbia, a potential stint with the national team, and the 2018-19 season as a whole.

He also spoke about motivation for this season and what motivates him personally.

Nikola Jokić was asked what motivates him, since losing does not.

He a took a *long* pause.

“I don’t know actually. Probably success...not just in basketball but in life...Success, or the path to success.”
— Brendan Vogt (@Bvogt422) May 13, 2019

Jokic took the Game 7 playoff loss hard, shouldering much of the blame for missing a critical free throw and some shots he felt he should make. Nuggets fans of course know this couldn’t be further from the truth. Jokic dominated during the regular season and elevated his game in the postseason, becoming the first player to average 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists per game during a playoff run since Oscar Robertson.

As Jokic continues to grow as a player and leader in the Nuggets locker room, these moments of learning (Game 82 versus Minnesota in 2018, Game 7 versus Portland on Sunday) will play a key role in his development. He turned into a superstar during the 2019 playoffs, staking his claim as the best player in the playoffs early and often. The season did not finish the way Jokic or Nuggets fans surely wanted, but the progress that was made and the moments Jokic had should help all parties rest easy. There will be time to get better and work on his game, but for Jokic, these playoffs were a job well done and to be celebrated.

Watch Nikola’s exit interview here:

In terms of best moments on the year, how can I pick just one or two? His 43 point performance in Game 6 against San Antonio comes to mind. 43 points on efficient shooting, 12 rebounds, and nine assists in a close out game on the road was very impressive, and while the shooting and general performances around him in the playoffs wavered, Jokic never did.

Exit interview: Jamal Murray

2019-05-13T19:39:35-06:00

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Arrow spoke with the media for the final time in the 2018-19 season

Jamal Murray spoke with the media for the final time in the 2018-19 season as the Denver Nuggets were available for exit interviews Monday morning. Murray emerged as the Nuggets indisputable number two behind Nikola Jokic this season and grew up before our eyes as a playmaker. But his team came up short in a Game 7, and he struggled to hit shots in the final game of the season. Murray is the type that expects more of himself, but he took time to reflect on what this team has accomplished, and the possibility that this is only the beginning for one of the league’s youngest cores.

“We made the playoffs for the first time,” Murray told the media. “We made it to two Game 7’s, both games we could have won; we did win one of them. But the one we lost, we had the game in our hands. We had the game at home. We fought all season for that to be at home.

“So I think (we should) use that to our advantage more, just have more focus, obviously have a better performance than we did—I did. Once everybody realizes how good we are, and the teams we shouldn’t lose to, then we’ll be really, really good.”

Watch the full interview:

2018-19 Exit Interview: Gary Harris

2019-05-13T19:24:57-06:00

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Gary Harris spoke to the media on Monday following Denver’s playoff exit.

Gary Harris spoke to the media for his yearly exit interview on Monday following the Game 7 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. He discussed his plans for the summer and his approach to the offseason.

Asked specifically about his approach to this offseason, Harris answered, “[I’m] just taking care of my body...I know what I gotta do, and I’m going to put in the work and be ready for next year.”

Harris had an up and down season, confirming the belief in his future as a two-way shooting guard in the NBA but also bringing about other questions. Once again, Harris missed extended time with injuries, playing just 57 out of 82 games in the regular season before suiting up for all 14 postseason contests. While he was out, Jamal Murray assumed more shooting responsibility, and the playoffs finished with Harris taking a back seat offensively, focusing almost exclusively on his defensive assignments.

Time will tell if this version of Gary Harris or the 2017-18 version, a more explosive offensive threat, is the player Denver needs going forward. As Murray and Nikola Jokic showcased in the playoffs, there’s a real need for a third scorer to emerge and reduce the pressure those two most shoulder offensively. Harris averaged 17.5 points per game in 2017-18 but just 12.9 in the 2018-19 regular season and 14.2 in the playoffs. Harris showed flashes throughout the season that he had more scoring potential, but too often had his role reduced to a general floor spacer. He has more to give, and an offseason of training and rehab should help prepare him to take the next step.

Listen to Gary’s exit interview here:

Harris provided some great highlights this year, but none stood out more than his acrobatic layup in Game 1 of the West Semis against the Blazers. On a back cut pass from Nikola Jokic (something Gary needs to do more) Harris received the ball and took flight, contorting his body around the looming body of Zach Collins and finishing a smooth layup on the other side of the rim. He showed off the athleticism that gets Nuggets fans truly excited every time he attacks the rim.

2018-19 Exit Interview: Mason Plumlee

2019-05-13T18:48:40-06:00

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Plumlee spoke to the media on Monday following last night’s playoff exit.

Mason Plumlee conducted his exit interview with the media today and had many positive words to share about his experience as a Nugget this season. When asked for one word to describe the season, Plumlee used the word “fun” and elaborated, “it was probably the most fun season I’ve had, personally [in the NBA].”

Plumlee contributed to a great bench unit in Denver, always brought the energy when the starting unit needed a boost, and formed an excellent trio with Monte Morris and Malik Beasley. That bench unit was a key reason that the Nuggets won 54 games during the regular season. Unfortunately, the playoffs ended on a sour note with the bench unit with all three guys struggling in the playoffs.

During his third season in Denver, Plumlee averaged 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, suiting up and playing in all 96 regular season and playoff games in which the Nuggets participated. This might’ve been the best overall season of Plumlee’s career. He’s in a difficult position as the backup for star center Nikola Jokic, but Plumlee handled the situation with grace and found a role in Denver this year at power forward alongside Jokic as well as at center with bench units.

Listen to Mason’s exit interview here:

Plumlee gave us one of the best highlights of the year when he knocked down a three-pointer in the 4th quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz. Plumlee and the bench were huge in helping the Nuggets storm back in that game and this three-pointer got the crowd off of their feet.

2018-19 Exit Interview: Paul Millsap

2019-05-13T18:41:42-06:00

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Millsap spoke to the media on Monday following last night’s playoff exit.

Paul Millsap conducted his exit interview with the media today and was very reflective about his experience as a Nugget this season. He spoke about the encouraging year, how the team came together and played unselfishly, and how he wants to finish his career in Denver.

When asked whether this Nuggets team gives him the best chance to win an NBA title, he joked, “I don’t know. I could go to the Golden State Warriors.” But there was a bit of honesty and insight in that answer. He later elaborated there is a specific way he “wants his story to be told, [the Denver Nuggets] are definitely the group that can help me do it.”

This was an interesting year for Paul Millsap, one that featured ups and downs offensively to go with the rock solid defensive skill set. Millsap averaged 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 regular season, shooting 48.4% from the field and 36.8% from behind the three-point line. In the playoffs, the scoring average jumped to 14.6 points per game, albeit on reduced scoring efficiency. Defensively, Millsap was the team’s anchor. He had the 3d best defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions when he was on the court) on the team and was relied upon as the team’s best backside helper in pick and roll defense.

With a pending $30 million team option for Millsap during the 2019-20 season, the Nuggets have a (very pricey) decision to make. Millsap showcased his talents on the defensive end and served as an elite team defender in the playoffs, but his lack of outside shooting hurt Denver on the other end. The Spurs and the Blazers threw different looks at him, and while he had some success in post up and isolation situations, the well began to dry up in Games 6 and 7. In addition, Millsap will turn 35 in February next year. The Nuggets must continue think about their long term future given the age range of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris.

Check out the rest of Millsap’s exit interview here.

And check out highlights form his 33-point game against the Dallas Mavericks in mid March.