‘So much talent there’ … Michael Malone praises earlier denver nuggets -player performance for Phoenix Suns

On By Littum

Before winning the 2023 NBA championship, Denver Nuggets had a lot of players who helped help create a winning culture there.

Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the team from Mile High City has been a regular feature in the playoffs since the 2018-19 season.

They have had like Monte Morris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap on their list to help develop their young stars.

One of them was Center Bol Bol, which was drafted by Miami Heat in 2019, but his draft rights were traded to Denver Nuggets.

For three seasons as part of Denver Nuggets, only Bol Bol managed to play 53 matches for Michael Malone.

Since moving away from the team in 2022, however, he has found regular playing time in his stints, previously with Orlando Magic and currently with Phoenix Suns.

Bol Bol #11 of Phoenix Suns responds during the first half of the NBA game against Miami Heat at the FootPrint Center on January 5, 2024 in Phoe ...
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Denver nuggets head coach Michael Malone shows appreciation of Bol Bol

Bol Bol, who comes out of the bench to Phoneix Suns, played well for the team against his former page Denver Nuggets Saturday.

He scored 19 points, seven rebounds and had four blocks against nuggets, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Suns from suffering a 105-122 loss.

During his press conference after the game, Michael Malone gave his previous player assessment for his performance.

“He fully took advantage of the opportunity Bud (Mike Budenholzer) gave him last night in their exciting victory in Utah in overtime.

“And then he comes out here again and to your point 33 minutes, 19 points, seven boards, four blocks.

“I think ever since Bol Bol was drafted by us, where many years ago, just so much talent there, it’s just a matter of bringing it out consistently,” Malone said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3tefguys

How was Bol Bol’s Stint with Denver Nuggets?

Bol Bol had a declaration debut for Denver Nuggets, scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in a review against Washington Wizards in the bubble.

With Nikola Jokic in the center, this debut did not translate to bigger things as Nuggets didn’t really need Bol Bol services, but when he was called, he produced some glimpses of brilliance.

His tall score with nuggets was only 11 points, but every time he got on the field, he produced a few moments of magic with his ball handling or shooting from three-point reach.

After his time with Nuggets, Bol moved to Orlando Magic and showed what he was capable of in a young team.

He was waived by the franchise, but Phoenix Suns chose him and he has since been in and out of the rotation.

Malone emphasized that Bol had the ability to play at the highest level, and while Denver could not offer him regular playing time, Phoenix has managed to do so at times and received some good performances from him.

In his last two matches, BOL has an average of an average of 15.5 ppg from the bench – which is sensational considering that the team only increased its minutes during these games.