Nuggets coach Michael Malone did not make any promises.
Even in the aftermath of Sunday’s regular-season finale, a win the team needed to feel good about itself before resuming with postseason play Sunday as the No. 1 seed, he was savvy enough not to box himself into a corner.
But that’s the encouraging predicament Nuggets rookie Peyton Watson has put on Malone’s doorstep.
Prior to Sunday’s win over Sacramento, Malone laid out his playoff rotation without knowing who the Nuggets were going to face next Sunday. Beyond the starters, he cited Bruce Brown, Christian Braun and Jeff Green as fixtures off the bench. Depending on the matchup, he mentioned Reggie Jackson and Watson as possibilities as well. That shouldn’t – and doesn’t – mean no one else will play a role.
After the game, Malone was asked about Watson again. The rookie scored 13 points, snatched four rebounds, and authored one mammoth block – a “Swatson” – against Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.
Malone didn’t hesitate to comment.
“If I have to use Peyton Watson in a playoff series, I will, if the situation calls upon it,” he said. “He’s shown me he can go out there against some really good players and teams and impact the game in a positive light.”
To close observers over the last week and a half, not to mention Kevin Durant, that much has been obvious. Watson has shown strength in transition, an ability to make plays and has proven to be a versatile defensive chess piece when needed. It’s not hard to see Malone feeling the need for a switchable, defensive lineup that could stymie an opponent. In that case, don’t rule out the 6-foot-7 wing.
Malone lauded his rebounding prior to Sunday’s game and highlighted his ability to end defensive possessions in traffic. If anything surprised him about Watson’s rapid development, it’s been his ability to find open guys after breaking down a defense with his length. He’s done so multiple times over the past six games.
“He belongs,” said fellow reserve Bruce Brown. “P-Wat is really, really good. He’s going to be really special once he puts some weight on, figures out his three-ball.”
Watson’s also caught veteran DeAndre Jordan’s attention. Jordan praised him for the work he’d done all season in Grand Rapids and appreciated his willingness to listen.
“He’s a sponge,” said Jordan, who’s among the growing list of teammates invested in the rookie.
“He hasn’t even scratched the surface,” Jordan said.
Malone made a point that Watson’s shot selection has improved dramatically since Summer League only weeks after the Nuggets drafted him. Yet there are still moments when he looks like a 20-year-old testing his limits.
When he stormed through the lane a few minutes into the third quarter Sunday and settled for a contested, fadeaway that came up well short, Malone called him on it. To the rookie’s credit, Malone said he owned it immediately.
But the flashes on defense and the burst on offense are intriguing. If the situation calls for it, Watson’s playoff debut might be a lot closer than anyone envisioned several weeks ago.
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