The trip to Abu Dhabi received mostly positive reviews from the Nuggets after Wednesday’s practice at Ball Arena, but one notable voice was missing.
Coach Michael Malone was absent due to an illness, while the rest of the team was still dealing with the aftereffects of more than 30 hours in an airplane between the two flights.
“Overall, major positives,” lead assistant David Adelman said. “I have no idea what day it is or what time it is right now, but it was a good basketball experience over there.”
Adelman was encouraged by the way the starters played in the first half of both games against Boston and liked the experience the end of the bench received by playing against Boston’s rotation players. He also said the Nuggets are trying to push the pace a bit more this season to make the most of Russell Westbrook’s skillset.
The first practice back in Denver was a pretty light one, Jamal Murray said following a taxing trip.
“It was good. We’re just tired. We’re exhausted. It was fun. It was cool. It was beautiful. We’re just too tired to do anything,” Murray said.
“Just trying to get back on schedule.”
The Nuggets have a few more days to regain their circadian rhythm before Sunday’s preseason game against Phoenix in Denver. Once that happens, the hope is the long trip will be rewarded with unforgettable memories and an expedited bond created throughout the team.
“It was a long one. I think when you have new people, it kind of force feeds communication. You’re eating together, you’re on busses together,” Adelman said.
“It’s kind of a family bonding thing. It’s a long way to go to do a family bonding thing, but it really was a good experience.”
Watson increasing workload
Peyton Watson made the trip with the team but was held out of both games due to a hamstring injury.
The Nuggets are still being cautious with his rehab, but he’s taken a step in the right direction since the team left Denver last week. Adelman said he made it through half of Wednesday’s practice.
“They’re ramping him up slowly. Those injuries are the worst,” Adelman said.
“I was just talking to him. He’s feeling a lot better. He actually got through some live stuff today. It wasn’t five-on-five, but it was close to it – some three-on-three. … He’s steadily progressing.”
Welcoming Westbrook
The first two preseason games provided the Nuggets a chance to find out what it’s like playing with Russell Westbrook against outside competition.
“He’s a lot of fun to play with,” Hunter Tyson said before Westbrook crashed his scrum. “He plays really hard, shares the ball, plays unselfishly.”
With a guy like that, Adelman said it’s on the other four players to make sure they’re doing the right things. Through two games, the Nuggets are encouraged with one of their biggest offseason additions.
“They have to take advantage of what he actually has and what he’s brought to our game and the NBA for a long time. You have to be willing to run with him, space correctly for him, because he’s a guy that can get in the paint and create for other people,” Adelman said.
“It’s nice to bring a different element to our team. It brings something that we can work on, talk about and get better at.”
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