Who among us has not done something regrettable in our early 20s?
The Grading the Week staff certainly cannot raise their hands, especially after we willingly chose to switch majors to print journalism just as the internet was becoming a thing.
Bones trade rumors — C-
It was not a good idea for second-year guard Bones Hyland to leave the Nuggets bench in the middle of a game two weeks ago.
That it also happened with assistant coach David Adelman playing the role of Michael Malone while the head coach was in health and safety protocol added a certain throwing-spitballs-at-the-substitute vibe that somehow made it even worse.
But that is far from an unforgivable sin for a 22-year-old who just a year ago was named to the 2021-22 All-Rookie team. Nor is a young player expressing frustration with substitute patterns, minutes or rotations. (It’s not as if he’s the first to have that problem with our dear friend, Mr. Malone.)
Competitive people want to compete, and we all know Hyland is that type of person.
Here’s what else we know about him: He’s athletic, skilled and completely unafraid to assert himself in high-pressure situations. Those sorts of players can come in handy in the postseason. Just ask Sam Cassell.
Bones has also been one of the most likable players on the roster since the team drafted him 26th overall in 2021 — the kind of guy who shows up to a live event with his puppy in tow and signs autographs for anyone who asks.
Does he need to stay engaged even as Malone messes around with his minutes? Yes. Should he make more of an effort to fight through screens and compete defensively? No doubt. But is he a lost cause the Nuggets must jettison in order to chase a championship this spring? We’re not entirely convinced.
We’re also not convinced this roster needs an upgrade in order to reach the NBA Finals.
Cryptic tweets aside, it’s entirely possible Bones could win back his teammates and re-assert himself as a critical role player on a title team. Besides, sending away a young player who’s clearly in the head coach’s doghouse is just the sort of sell low proposition that produces bad long-term outcomes.
It’s not like he knocked out a teammate during practice. Or intentionally gave everyone COVID.
All we are saying is give Bones another chance.
Broncos coaching search — A+
Remember when nobody wanted to be the Broncos’ head coach? That was Tuesday morning.
Remember when the Broncos nabbed the most desirable former head coach on the market (Sean Payton) for a relatively small price (one first-rounder and a pick swap)? That was Tuesday afternoon.
The lesson: We probably shouldn’t freak out in the absence of information. Perhaps, maybe — and we’re just spitballing here — we wait for an actual outcome before going Chicken Little on social media. Despite all the hand-wringing on social media about the perception of the Broncos around the league prior to Tuesday, they are set to enter next season with a Super Bowl-winning head coach and Super Bowl-winning quarterback. And the latter isn’t Joe Flacco.
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