KICKIN' IT WITH KIZ

Whenever I get an attitude about some stupidity in sports, I will shoot off an email to one of the Denver Post sports writers.  I have been pleasantly surprised that they actually read my rants and often reply.  One of my favorite writers is Mark Kiszla - Kiz is a favorite because he is funny and insightful, but more importantly I generally agree with him!  I've written to him a couple of times, with my latest affirming his rant that Michael Malone, the Denver Nuggets head coach, was wasting the opportunity to let a potential superstar, Michael Porter Jr, play rather than languish on the bench.   On February 29 Kiz wrote some blistering commentary regarding Malone's blindered approach to playing Porter - you can see it all here, but it may require a subscription to access, so I will clip some below:

There are too many apologists for the Nuggets. After the blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, it’s time to get real. Stacked against the toughest competition, you’re left with little reason to believe Denver is a championship-winning team this year. They have the talent, no doubt, but haven’t found the right formula to this point.

G.C., keeping it real

Kiz: Could it be the Nuggets’ starting five needs an overhaul? Although there are matchup exceptions to every rule, this should be the lineup introduced before the game and on the floor at crunch time: Nikola Jokic at center; Jerami Grant at power forward; Michael Porter Jr. at small forward; Will Barton at shooting guard, and Jamal Murray at point guard.

It amazes me Porter can get pulled for making a mistake, but Harris is allowed to continue to shoot – er, throw – balls off the side of the backboard. If the Nuggets want defense, play Torrey Craig. Harris should be sitting on the pine, compass in hand, trying to locate the basket.

Dan, Sarasota, Fla.

Kiz: Harris is last week’s news. The Nuggets have a MPJ problem. If Malone leaves Porter to rot on the bench, maybe Denver can trade him away in 2022 for a future second-round draft choice.

The Nuggets have got a lot of problems, Kiz. Harris is one of them. Paul Millsap is another. But the biggest problem of all is your friend Malone and his loyalty to Harris, Millsap and Craig.

Steven, problem-solver

Kiz: What did Forrest Gump’s momma used to say? Stubborn is as stubborn does. Or something like that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, after the above appeared in the Denver Post, I sent a short email to affirm Kiz' perspective on the MPJ - Malone 'situation.'  Well, the very next game, Malone sat MPJ the entire game!!  So, I sent another email to Kiz saying basically that apparently Malone reads Kiz' column!  Interestingly, Kiz used our brief exchange in his next column:


Looks like Nuggets coach Michael Malone reads your column, Kiz. And he decided to show that sports guy only the coach decides if Michael Porter Jr. gets off the Denver bench.

Douglas, the wily professor

Kiz: After Malone complained about his team’s poor defense, I guess we should’ve seen a DNP coming for Porter in the victory at Charlotte. But let me point out something I bet Porter also duly noted. He scored a team-high 19 points and added eight rebounds during a decisive home victory over the Hornets in January, then plays zero minutes as Denver squeaks by the same team in March? Hey, if Malone wants to make an example out of Porter, that’s his business. But it’s also how a coach can destroy trust with a young player.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, henceforth you all may refer to me as The Wily Professor!!