Melvin Hunt has done too good a job with the Nuggets.
Under the interim coach, Denver has gone 6-2 and climbed to “just” the NBA’s eighth-worst record.
So, out go Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari.
Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post:
Three #Nuggets to be rested tonight: Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari. They will NOT play vs Grizzlies
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) March 16, 2015
To be clear: #Nuggets Interim head coach Melvin Hunt & his staff aren't choosing to rest players. Nor are players asking to be rested.
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) March 16, 2015
On one hand, there’s something unsettling about a lottery-bound team resting healthy starters – especially a team with players who haven’t exactly given maximum effort all season. Lawson, Faried and Gallinari will get plenty of rest in a month.
On the other hand, this is the system the NBA created (and wants to change).
The Nuggets’ primary goals should be securing a high draft pick, developing young players and keeping everyone healthy. This supports all three objectives.
It’s hard to blame them for operating this way.