Sean Kilpatrick gets buckets - which the Denver Nuggets desperately need

“For the next 10-days, I’m on a different richter scale; so I gotta adjust my game to what these guys want.” said Sean Kilpatrick, the newest member of the Denver Nuggets.

Kilpatrick was signed to a 10-day contract by the team on Jan. 12th. He’ll be behind the eight-ball with the Nuggets after being signed out of the NBA’s Developmental League, where he was a member of the Delaware 87ers.

“It’s crazy how the 10-day [contract] happened. I think it was around 12:00 o’clock at night the day before yesterday and they were telling me: ‘Get your snow boots ready, you’re about to go to Denver,'” said Kilpatrick. “It’s amazing to get an opportunity like this, it’s something that’s really big for my family, but also for myself as well.”

Nuggets fans were curious why the team elected to go with the second-leading scorer in the history of the University of Cincinnati (trailing only Oscar Robertson’s 2,973 points with 2,145 points of his own from 2010-14), instead of former Nugget Erick Green — who is playing outstanding for the Reno Bighorns — as both players thrive when asked to score the ball. Perhaps Michael Malone fought for the player he has had his eye on for a while.

“The funny thing about that, [Malone] and I are from New York,” said Kilpatrick, who hails from Yonkers. “He’s been watching me since high school. That’s the funny thing about it; I didn’t know until my high school coach told me and then Coach [Malone] told me last night when we had a meeting. He’s been wanting me for years and now that he has the opportunity to really sit here and coach me — it’s a blessing for me.

“But not only that,” Kilpatrick continued. “I’m happy for him because now he can actually see what I’m able to do under his time. I want to thank Coach for giving me the opportunity and space to really be comfortable on the court, but not only that but to be able to help this team.”

Kilpatrick will have to get to know his teammates’ tendencies in a hurry, as well as Malone’s playbook and schemes. Thankfully the Nuggets have a couple veterans on the roster who have already taken the 26 year-old under their wings.

“The only [Nuggets teammate] I kind of knew before this was Gary Harris, we were in the same draft class. I’m really just trying to get used to everyone,” noted Kilpatrick. “Mike Miller has been doing a great job coaching me, especially on the sidelines. It’s great to have a veteran like that, with him and Jameer [Nelson] when you got two guys like that in your ear all day, everyday, it’s hard not to pay attention. It’s really good that I have those veteran guys in my ear like that.”

Can Kilpatrick get on the floor for the Nuggets? That’ll be the interesting part as the team has Gary Harris, Will Barton and Randy Foye ahead of him on the depth chart. With no true backup for Danilo Gallinari, and Gallo able to play power forward, there could be minutes available when Malone goes to small-ball lineups.

Small-ball is where Kilpatrick could be deadly as he has improved his shooting tremendously out of college – where he was already a deadly scorer. In 26 games with the 87ers this season, Kilpatrick averaged 27.1 points per game on 47 percent shooting and converted on 44.5 percent of his 3-point attempts, according to my colleague Harrison Wind.

“I’m very physical,” said Kilpatrick. “I’m physical on the defensive and offensive end. I’m someone that can shoot, that’s something that a lot of people in America know that I can do. I can really drive to the basket, and that’s something that I really think helps and frees up my shot. I just want to continue to keep bringing that spirit and competitive toughness to the Denver Nuggets.”

NBA D-League success stories a familiar one in Denver

On Nov. 21st, 2001, the Nuggets called up the first ever D-League player to the NBA in Chris Andersen, the Birdman. He went on to become a fan favorite in Denver and eventually an NBA champion with the Miami Heat. Kilpatrick appreciated his time in the D-League and noted how it helped ease him away from the college game to the pro level.

“It was great — being able to play in the D-League against other talent especially,” said Kilpatrick. “It was something that was very different for me coming out of college because you have to get used to the pro level. Now, when you get comfortable with the game and you’re going into your second year, everything becomes a lot easier. You find little ways to score, you find ways on defense to get steals and everything like that. It has been a great experience, it’s really something that taught me a lot.”

Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat

My guy Michael Shults on Twitter was ecstatic with Denver’s acquisition of Kilpatrick and you can see why below.

@NateTimmonsBSN I went to UC. SK is my all time favorite college player. People don’t understand how awesome this guy is.

— Michael Shults (@michaelshults) January 12, 2016

@NateTimmonsBSN He is a UC legend up there with Kenyon, Oscar, Van Exel, Fortson, et al. Potential steal IMO.

— Michael Shults (@michaelshults) January 12, 2016

“From Day 1, as soon as I got [to Cincinnati]  on my visit, they treated me as if I was family already — as if I committed to that school already. That’s something that I would say helped me stay four years. No one, especially going into college, wants to stay four years if the organization or the fans don’t like you. I was a fan favorite, but not only that, I was an All-American for that school. That was something that really helped me. I appreciate all those fans, especially still following my career and making sure that everything is going correct with me.”