Previous to profitable the 2023 NBA championship, the Denver Nuggets had numerous gamers who helped contribute to making a profitable tradition there.
Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the crew from the Mile Excessive Metropolis have been a daily characteristic within the playoffs because the 2018-19 season.
They’ve had the likes of Monte Morris, Will Barton and Paul Millsap on their roster to assist develop their younger stars.
Considered one of them was middle Bol Bol, who was drafted by the Miami Warmth in 2019, however his draft rights have been traded to the Denver Nuggets.
In three seasons as a part of the Denver Nuggets, Bol Bol solely managed to play 53 video games for Michael Malone.
Nonetheless, since transferring away from the crew in 2022, he has discovered common taking part in time in his stints previously with the Orlando Magic and at the moment with the Phoenix Suns.
Bol Bol, who comes off the bench for the Phoneix Suns, performed nicely for the crew towards his former aspect Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
He scored 19 factors, seven rebounds and had 4 blocks towards the Nuggets, however his effort was not sufficient to forestall the Suns from struggling a 105-122 loss.
Throughout his post-game press convention, Michael Malone gave his former participant appreciation for his efficiency.
“He took full benefit of the chance Bud [Mike Budenholzer] gave him final evening of their thrilling win in Utah in time beyond regulation.
“After which he comes out right here once more and to your level 33 minutes, 19 factors, seven boards, 4 blocks.
“I feel ever since Bol Bol received drafted by us what number of ever years in the past, there simply a lot expertise there, it’s only a matter of bringing it out persistently,” mentioned Malone.
Bol Bol had a press release debut for the Denver Nuggets, scoring 16 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in a scrimmage towards the Washington Wizards within the bubble.
With Nikola Jokic at centre, that debut didn’t translate into larger issues because the Nuggets didn’t really want the providers of Bol Bol, however when known as upon, he did produce some glimpses of brilliance.
His excessive rating with the Nuggets was a mere 11 factors, however each time he got here on the court docket, he did produce a number of moments of magic together with his ball-handling or taking pictures from three-point vary.
After his time with the Nuggets, Bol moved to the Orlando Magic and confirmed what he was able to in a younger crew.
He was waived by the franchise, however the Phoenix Suns picked him and he has since been out and in of rotation.
Malone emphasised that Bol had the flexibility to play on the highest degree and whereas Denver couldn’t provide him common taking part in time, Phoenix has managed to try this at occasions and acquired some nice performances from him.
In his final two video games, Bol has averaged 15.5 PPG off the bench – which is sensational contemplating the crew solely elevated his minutes throughout these video games.
