November 16th 2024.
Dario Saric's first few weeks with the Denver Nuggets didn't go as planned. But Coach Michael Malone wanted to assure him that the book wasn't closed on his role with the team.
"We're playing really well right now," Malone told Saric during one of their recent conversations. "I don't want to make any changes while we're on a roll."
But Malone reminded Saric that it's a long season, and at some point, the team would need him again. And that moment came sooner than expected.
Saric's return to the rotation was by necessity, but he made a strong case to earn back his spot on the team. He stepped in for Nikola Jokic, who was out due to stylistic reasons, and put up impressive numbers - nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists. But more importantly, the team won by 12 points during his minutes, despite losing the game overall. It was the first time as a Nugget that Saric had a positive plus-minus.
"I know I can't fill Nikola's shoes," Saric said humbly, still critiquing his performance. "But I try to do my best. I could have made some better decisions, especially when it comes to blitzing or double-teaming Jamal. And maybe I could have shot better from the outside. But I was just trying to catch a rhythm after being out for a while."
Saric had been benched five games into the season as Malone searched for solutions for the struggling second unit. "We talked about the situation and why the decision was made," Saric explained. "Obviously, the second unit wasn't performing well, so the coach decided to give me a chance."
During the two weeks he was out of the rotation, Saric stayed in shape by playing pickup games with assistant coaches. It was a low-pressure environment, but he approached it with a philosophical mindset.
"Sometimes I take shots that I wouldn't normally take in a game," he shared. "But it's good to have that confidence and practice those shots for when my name is called."
In his first game back, Saric had a bit of a rocky start, with his first 3-point attempt spinning around the rim three times before ultimately missing. But he eventually found his rhythm and showed off his playmaking abilities, setting up his teammates for open shots and displaying good court vision.
"He allowed us to play the way we usually do," acting head coach David Adelman said. "He's an all-around player - he can stretch the floor, he can roll, he can make good decisions, and he talks on the court. He's a great competitor, and I love having him on the team."
Saric's game wasn't perfect, with a few missed shots and turnovers, but he showed signs of potential and chemistry with his teammates. For Denver's second unit to succeed, he'll need to work on grabbing more rebounds, an area where rookie Zeke Nnaji has struggled.
But for the first time this season, Saric's role on the team made sense. His teammates were impressed with his performance and his mental toughness after being benched for so long.
"He brings everything," Jamal Murray said. "He can stretch the floor, he can make good decisions, he can post up, and he's a great communicator on the court. I love playing with him - you can see in his character that he wants to win, even after not playing for a few games. I have a lot of respect for him, and I know we're going to need him."
Coach Malone, who was absent from the game due to a family commitment, had spent the last two weeks trying to figure out how to utilize Saric's skills better. He took responsibility for not maximizing Saric's potential and praised the player for being a great teammate.
"I don't expect Dario to be walking around with a smile and pom poms after being benched," Malone said. "But to his credit, he's been the ultimate teammate."
Saric may have been disappointed with his benching, but he handled the situation with grace and determination. And now, with his return to the rotation, he has shown that he is a valuable asset to the Denver Nuggets.
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