The Nuggets won their second straight game of the Melvin Hunt era last night, much to the surprise of Wolves forward Kevin Garnett.
“They quit on Brian Shaw, I thought maybe they’d quit again. A quitter is a quitter.”
Before being reunited with Minnesota Garnett played most of this season from a far in the eastern conference, but seems to be fairly in tune and vocal about what exactly happened in Denver.
Brian Shaw released a statement via his agent yesterday that didn’t exactly deny what Garnett has implied.
“Having been a part of 5 NBA Championship teams, I know how difficult it is to make the commitment necessary to achieve that goal,” said Shaw, who began by thanking Stan and Josh Kroenke as well as Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly and Nuggets fans. “It takes sacrifice for the greater good … and time, for a club to get to the championship level. Players, coaches, management and ownership all must share that commitment and build toward that goal. It is not an easy task.
“I am very proud of the effort that my staff and I put in while coaching the team. I also appreciate the support that I received from the KSE group. Finally, I believe that the Nuggets will grow to be a championship level club and give the fans in Denver a much deserved Championship. In time.”
Shaw thanks ownership, the front office, and his coaching staff for their effort but leaves out any mention of the players. Not surprising, but telling about how his tenure in Denver ended.
Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried who had his fair share of trouble with Shaw, is singing the praises of his new head coach.
“Coach Mel knows us,” Faried said. “He’s been around us a lot longer than coach Shaw has. Coach Mel was around when George Karl was here. When I first got drafted he was here. (Assistant coach Patrick) Mutumbo was here for us. They just know our game and our people, and basically how we play off each other.”
Faried doesn’t mention Shaw directly, but this further shows the disconnect between the players and the vision Shaw had for what he wanted his team to be.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that in the post Shaw firing, Faried has had consecutive double-double performances in Nugget victories.
If the Nuggets resurgence continues, they might just play “Coach Mel” into more than an interim role, and more importantly, a less desirable draft pick.
