The Denver Nuggets introduced Emmanual Mudiay to the media on Friday. Right after the news conference, a Nuggets exec sidled up to me and said, “dumb luck. Just plain dumb luck.” That’s okay. Sometimes, that’s what it takes to get better.
In 1984, with the number two pick in the draft, the Portland Trailblazers took Sam Bowie. Which meant a kid named Michael Jordan fell to the Chicago Bulls at number three. Dumb luck, right? The Nuggets wanted Emmanuel Mudiay or D’Angelo Russell out of this draft. Mudiay fell right into their laps.
To the Nuggets credit, they were trying to figure out how to move up and get one of those guys. They assumed both would get taken well before they picked at number seven.
But when the Knicks reached for Kristaps Porzingis at number four, the Nuggets brass started thinking, “maybe we have a chance here.” They decided to be patient. Patient, but anxious.
They needed one more team picking before them to do something, well, unconventional. Some would say, “stupid.” Sacramento obliged. The Kings picked Willie Cauley-Stein.
I wish I was in the Nuggets war room to hear the whoopin’ and hollerin’. I’m sure there was plenty. Mudiay just looks and sounds special. Mature beyond his 19 yrs. old. Like he’s ready to take on the NBA. Like he’s ready to become a franchise-changing player.
If you’re a Nuggets fan, you’d probably settle for Mudiay just being an all-star. Haven’t had one of those since Carmelo Antony in 2011.
There are two key moves that will help him develop. First, the Nuggets have to say “buh-bye” to Ty Lawson. He’s become a pariah. A talented young man who, like Peter Pan, just refuses to grow up.
The Nuggets begged him to lead. Begged him to mature. They talked to him, texted inspirational sayings to him, took him out to Broncos practice to meet and learn from Peyton Manning. Instead, Ty took the low road—and it’s a road that should lead him right out of town. Plus, Lawson is a point guard who needs the ball in his hands. That’s now Mudiay’s role.
Second, the Nuggets have to re-sign backup pt. guard, Jameer Nelson, a steady 12 year veteran. He’s had success in the league. Played in the all-star game. Unlike Lawson, Nelson is a pro’s pro. He can help Mudiay learn how to be one, too.
0Here’s the kicker to all of this. Are you aware, the Nuggets have the NY Knicks 1st round pick next year? And since the Knicks are gonna be bad again – Prozingis is a project and won’t help much his first year – the Nuggets could get another stud early in next year’s draft, too.
Mudiay and another high first rounder next year? It’s a good start to a rebuild. And a lot of luck – dumb luck, good luck, whatever – for a franchise that needed some, badly. And that’s More with Les.
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