By Harrison Wind, BSNDenver.com
At Nuggets’ media day, there were interviews and news reports aplenty with players, coaches, and front office executives sharing their thoughts on the upcoming season and a host of other issues. In an interview with Altitude 950’s Scott Hastings and Julie Browman, Plumlee spoke on a variety of topics, but one, in particular, stood out in its importance for the Nuggets’ future success and the depth of knowledge and experience he conveyed in articulating its nuances: Denver’s defense.
Plumlee’s emphasis on the importance of cultivating a team defensive mentality for Denver to improve would clearly be music to the ears of any NBA coach or front office executive. But even more impressive was the clarity and detail with which he envisions a path to bolstering the Nuggets’ struggling defense, which was the second-worst in the league last season.
Following the announcement of his deal with Denver, Plumlee posted a letter to Nuggets fans on his website. Its message is consistent with his emphasis on avoiding a losing mentality.
“I hate losing… If I want you to know anything about me, it’s that I will do whatever it takes to win basketball games and I will expect the same of my teammates,” Plumlee wrote.
Plumlee’s media day comments indicate that these are not just empty words, but instead, something that he feels strongly and passionately about and that he does intend to bring a higher standard of accountability to the Nuggets’ defense to help engender his team with a stronger winning mindset.