Gone is Michael Malone; here is Jalen Pickett, the second-year Denver Nuggets guard who unwillingly found himself in the controversy surrounding the change up on the Nuggets bench this week. Pickett is one of a small contingent of young players connected to the firing of Malone and Calvin Booth, but more so Malone. Reportedly, one reason the Kroenkes decided to move on from the former Nuggets coach was his disagreement with Booth about playing the team’s younger players more minutes. Russell Westbrook, along with Pickett and others, also found his name mired in all of this. Well, Pickett was just given a new lease on life in his young NBA career, and it came at the hands of David Adelman, Denver’s interim head coach.
Little-Used Nuggets Guard Thrives Post Malone
David Adelman starts his Denver coaching tenure by giving Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett real playing time
The Nuggets snapped themselves out of a four-game slide on Wednesday night after defeating the Sacramento Kings. It was Adelman’s first game at the helm, and it ended in positive fashion thanks to another grand performance by Nikola Jokić and solid performances by Aaron Gordon (21 points) and Michael Porter Jr. (21 points). Those three weren’t the only Nuggets who put together good performances. Pickett started the game while Jamal Murray continued to sit. In 31 minutes, he scored 18 points, added four assists, and shot 5-7 from three and 6-10 from the floor. It was quite the night for Pickett, and hopefully, he will continue to have more chances at similar performances.
Pickett has averaged just 13 minutes a game this season and 4.3 points. His offensive efficiency has proved solid from the three-point line and the field, with both percentages above 40%. Yet, he’s only played in 47 games, spending more time on the bench than anywhere else.
The controversy involving Pickett
It has been reported by The Athletic‘s Tony Jones, Sam Amick, and Zach Powell that part of the disconnect between Booth and Malone was the playing time of Denver’s young players. Pickett was one said player, and Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson were the others. Instead of giving respectable minutes to any of them, Malone favored Westbrook. In Westbrook’s defense, he’s had a generally good season in Denver. However, he has significantly dropped off in recent weeks, which drove Booth to want Malone to give the younger guys a chance. Malone stuck to his guns, though, and kept on playing Westbrook.
Jamal Murray reportedly set to return
Westbrook came off the bench in Sacramento for 17 minutes, while Pickett started in 31 minutes. Adelman showed faith in Pickett’s potential, and at least for one game, Pickett rewarded Adelman. How the rest of the season plays out remains to be seen. With Denver headed to the playoffs, Adelman will have to decide if Pickett is up for the challenge. Murray is reportedly ready to return Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, but it shouldn’t be a surprise if Pickett continues to play a lot more than before. For now, the future appears brighter for Pickett, and deservedly so. Booth got what he wanted, but it came too late.
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