The question was specific, yet Jamal Murray broadened the scope.
After Thursday night’s win over Golden State, he was asked whether this iteration of the Nuggets was different, considering that role players such as Vlatko Cancar were willing to sacrifice their individual opportunities for greater team success.
Murray’s answer spoke volumes about the state of the Nuggets, who sit atop the Western Conference at 36-16 following their 134-117 win over the Warriors.
“We’re a championship team,” Murray said. “All that stuff, not being happy, has gotta go out the window or else we’re not going to win. It’s nice to have a coach that knows that and knows what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Cancar is a beloved locker-room figure who has consistently given himself to the team. He scored 17 points, two shy of his career-high, while starting in place of Aaron Gordon, who was out with an ankle injury.
Coach Michael Malone didn’t know Gordon’s status at shootaround but he pulled Cancar aside and told him how much he believed in him and how much he trusted him. Not knowing if you’ll play can be unsettling, but Cancar has endeared himself to the locker room, the coaching staff, and the front office by doing what is asked. His attitude has never wavered, nor has his work ethic. Neither has ever been contingent upon playing time, which is a testament to his professionalism.
“Are you willing to sacrifice and stay patient, basically,” Cancar said.
As evidenced by Thursday’s win over the Warriors, the Nuggets are deep enough to throw in a spot starter who can seamlessly fit alongside Denver’s established core. Part of that is Cancar’s versatility – he can score, rebound, be a playmaker and defend – but it’s also an acceptance that on a team with championship aspirations, he’s on the fringe of the rotation.
“Just another example of being selfless,” said Malone.
And though he’d rather be in the rotation, Cancar has said, repeatedly, he loves being in Denver and doesn’t want to go anywhere. Even if that means he doesn’t play as much.
“I don’t really see a problem in that,” he said.
If the season ends in a championship – something Cancar described as akin to a World Cup victory, “I feel like that beats everything,” he said.
It’s an important contrast considering that guard Bones Hyland didn’t play against Golden State while his name swirled in trade rumors ahead of next week’s trade deadline.
Cancar was in the rotation while Jeff Green recovered from a hand fracture and then slowly saw his minutes decrease once he returned. Murray has staggered with the second unit to try and stabilize the scoring off the bench. Michael Porter Jr. has accepted fewer shots than he’d probably prefer. Rookie Christian Braun has patiently waited for more playing time. On one hand, it’s MVP Nikola Jokic implementing that selfless ethos, but on the other hand, it’s the team recognizing what’s necessary to win a title.
Hyland, whose reported friction with Malone over playing time has fueled some of the trade speculation, appeared disconnected Thursday night while opting to stay seated on the bench while the rest of the team congregated for timeouts.
Yes, Hyland needs to improve his defense, but there’s a collective buy-in that’s necessary, too. It’s an attitude that has largely permeated the locker room, and according to Murray, is essential if the Nuggets are going to realize their championship goals.
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