[ad_1]
DENVER – The prospects of a return home to Washington and the Wizards were undeniably appealing to Tim Connelly. But not as seductive as finishing what he had started with the Denver Nuggets.
The president of the Nuggets basketball operations chose to stay in town, even with the wizards' call.
The Nuggets, which have a young nucleus led by the great man Nikola Jokic, have won 54 games this season before the No. 2 seed was lost to Portland in the seventh game of the second round of the playoffs.
"It's safe to assume, and maybe I'm too optimistic, that we'll see a better version of us next year," Connelly said Tuesday. "I do not know if it means more wins, I do not know if we're going to win a playoff series and move on, but I do not think there's any reason to think that there's will have a regression next season. "
Originally from Baltimore, Connelly enjoyed the audience with Washington owner Ted Leonsis. He said he was flattered by their recent "exchange of ideas" as the Wizards were looking to fill the role of team chairman after Ernie Grunfeld's dismissal in April.
"The relationships that took place here and the hard times we went through – it was very difficult to consider leaving something as difficult and long in coming," said Connelly, who broke into the NBA. with the Wizards as a trainee in the basketball operations department and then as a video coordinator and scout assistant.
Connelly was hired as Denver's Executive Director in July 2013 and team chair Josh Kroenke has been patient with him. Connelly recruited his coach Michael Malone before the 2015-16 season and has steadily increased since – from 33 wins in Malone's first year to 54 this season, including a 34-7 home mark.
"We did not get a good start from a distance, and [Kroenke] Connelly, promoted to President of Basketball Operations in 2017, said: "This could easily have been perceived as an initial mistake because he appreciated the processes and liked the way we attack our day-to-day work." a rarity in professional sports and here is the shovel. So, these things matter to me. "
Connelly and his team have been rich in projects, taking Jokic with the 41st pick of the second round in 2014. They have also selected Jamal Murray, as well as newcomers Juancho Hernangomez, Malik Beasley and Michael Porter Jr. who was absent this season then that he was recovering from an operation on the back.
The most important decision outside the season is what to do with veteran leader Paul Millsap. The team has a $ 30 million option, which could be restructured.
"I really expect Paul to be back in the uniform of the Nuggets," Connelly said.
As far as free agencies are concerned, Denver has not really been an attractive landing place over the past few summers. But Connelly sees that starting to change and believes that Jokic's selfless play could be a seductive selling point. Denver could be on the market for another shooter and an advance-power in order to move on to the next step.
"It will be fascinating to make these calls" in free agency, said Connelly. "If they say that it's about winning and that the answer is to win and that they're not talking to us, then I think that's a misleading answer." "
The Nuggets turned heads throughout the regular season as they challenged Golden State until the end to get the best mark of the West. They beat San Antonio in seven games in the first round before falling into the hands of Trail Blazers.
"We sent a pretty strong message," said Malone. "I think there were questions about our team all year, no matter what the reason.How are they legitimate?" Does it really matter? 39, a No. 2 seed? Can they play their game in playoffs with so many young players who have never been there before?
"We answered many questions about our team in the best way possible."
[ad_2]
Source link