Nuggets coach Michael Malone knew almost instantly he’d made a mistake.
In the moments after Denver wrapped up its win over the 76ers, Malone waved pleasantries to Sixers coach Doc Rivers before he went to find his starting power forward.
Malone had, inadvertently, gone with Jeff Green over Gordon to close the game. That decision was largely based on Denver’s 20-point lead several minutes into the fourth quarter, and the hope that Malone might be able to steal some extra rest for his starters. When the lead evaporated as a result of turnovers and porous defense, Malone went back to his regulars except for Gordon.
“Poor coaching,” Malone admitted after the game.
Malone found him and threw his arm around him immediately to explain his mistake. Gordon, according to Malone, told him it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they’d won.
“He just said that he should’ve had me in there,” Gordon said after Wednesday’s practice. “I mean, you can’t go wrong. It’s Jeff Green. This guy’s a 16-year vet, still as athletic as ever, smart, gifted, talented. You can’t go wrong. We were up 20. I had turned my motor off. I had parked the car, and I think coach sensed that a little bit.”
Gordon wasn’t just saying that. As Malone explained the decision to him walking off the court, Gordon looked completely at ease and understood.
“I appreciate it,” said Gordon, who added he felt the veteran coach handled the miscue well.
Gordon’s handling of the situation, according to Malone, was another example of his maturity and his selflessness.
“I’ve used that word with Aaron all season long — how selfless he has been,” Malone said.
Unsolicited, Malone praised veterans Reggie Jackson, Ish Smith and DeAndre Jordan as well. The three veterans have fallen out of the rotation as the playoffs near, yet none has griped over their status. Malone said it was a luxury to have numerous veterans approach their jobs like that.
At 51-24 overall and 32-6 at home, there hasn’t been too much to nitpick over Malone’s handling of his team. Finally healthy, the Nuggets have become the team they were expected to two seasons ago, before Jamal Murray tore his ACL. They’ve won four in a row, and with only seven games remaining, have pole position on the No. 1 seed over Memphis.
On Thursday, they’ll risk that win streak against the visiting Pelicans, who could be a first-round matchup depending on how the play-in tournament goes. Despite the fact that the Nuggets have been in first for months, and are on the verge of locking up the conference’s top seed, Gordon said the final seven games all mattered.
“It’s about winning out,” Gordon said. “… Starting to build and develop momentum going into the playoffs, and that’s the only thing that it can be about.”
That’s one of the top priorities, even if it’s trumped by health. Gordon had been bothered by a rib contusion and a troublesome shoulder. He said both are on the mend.
“I’m healed, actually,” Gordon said. “My ribs are healed, my shoulder is getting there. I feel like I can be myself again. … Uninhibited.”
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