It’s destined to be a very busy summer of retooling for the Nuggets, but one of their biggest names, Kenneth Faried, doesn’t expect a roster restoration to prevent the team’s ability to bounce back next season.
“I’m a very positive person,” Faried said. “I always believe that we can bounce back and we will bounce back. And my teammates do, too.”
The Nuggets are finishing up their second consecutive losing season, the first time the team has done that since the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. Carmelo Anthony’s arrival in 2003 changed the Nuggets’ fortunes for the next decade.
And while the Nuggets are sure to be in the draft lottery, their chances of landing a top-three spot are slim. If they don’t get into the top three, they’ll probably land in the seventh or eighth spot in the draft. The Nuggets will also look at potential trades, or free agent signings, to improve.
“I think they are going to move some components, move some — hopefully not key pieces — but major pieces on the team that need to be moved,” Faried said. “And they’ll have to sign some people. But I think it’s an easy fix just as far as how things went from a positive standpoint and a ‘give it all you’ve got’ standpoint. And (interim coach) Melvin Hunt, I want to go out there and give it all I got for him, no matter if we’re down in the dumps or if we’re (playing well).”
Hiring a coach is the first item on the Nuggets’ offseason to-do list, and Hunt will be among the candidates.
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Faried has been among the most outspoken members of the team in support of Hunt being named the full-time coach.
“I’ve been here for four years with him,” Faried said. “I know his system and what he likes to do. His main mantra is defense, and us playing hard. There’s only one thing that he can control, and that’s the X’s and O’s. Everything else, we’ve got to bring. With his positive attitude, it makes it easy to bring it every night.”
Hunt has steadfastly said he’s not worrying about anything beyond the next game. Yet he’s been appreciative of the support he has received from the players.
“It’s really cool,” Hunt said. “Everyone has an ego. I just try to keep mine under control. It makes you feel good. Nothing like being stroked and told you’re doing a good job, so I do appreciate it. But I’m not living or dying on the edge of every compliment or every endorsement. I’m thankful.”
Hunt was asked what he would like Nuggets fans to see from his team in the final few home games.
“Whether it’s losing or winning, I think they’re getting a chance to see these guys really putting it out there for them,” Hunt said. “When I look in the stands during the game, I know it means something to those fans, and it means something to our guys. I just want that marriage to continue to grow.”
Christopher Dempsey: cdempsey@denverpost.com or
DENVER AT UTAH
7 p.m. Wednesday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Elijah Millsap: It has been a productive year for Millsap, the younger brother of Atlanta’s Paul Millsap. He was brought to Utah from the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam in January on a 10-day contract and made such an impression that after a second 10-day contract, the Jazz signed him for the remainder of the season. Millsap came off the bench to score 16 points against the Nuggets in the game between the teams Friday.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari is expected to be back in the rotation after missing Denver’s last game, at Portland. He is resting in the second of back-to-backs sets. … Forward Darrell Arthur (calf) will not play … The Nuggets have won six of their last 10 games against the Jazz at Utah, which goes back to the 2009-10 season.
Jazz: Gordon Hayward has been on fire against the Nuggets this season, averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists. … Forward Rodney Hood will not play against the Nuggets because of a concussion suffered March 30. Big man Derrick Favors is questionable for the game with back spasms.
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
