Dario Saric on being out of Nuggets’ rotation early in season: “It’s not easy mentally”

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NEW ORLEANS — The first two weeks of Dario Saric’s new chapter didn’t go the way he or the Nuggets envisioned. But Michael Malone wanted him to know the book wasn’t closed.

“We’re playing really well right now,” Denver’s 10th-year coach told his new backup center in one of their recent conversations while Saric was out of the rotation. “So I’m not gonna make changes while we’re playing really well.”

But it’s a long season, Malone reminded him. At some point, as the coach promised reporters on Thursday, “We’re going to be calling upon him again.”

Again arrived sooner than expected.

Saric’s return to the rotation came by necessity, but he made his case to earn back the spot by merit. Replacing Nikola Jokic in the starting lineup for stylistic reasons on Friday night in New Orleans, he amassed nine points, eight rebounds and five assists. Most importantly, the Nuggets (7-4) won his minutes by 12 points in a game they lost by seven. For the first time as a Nugget, Saric’s plus-minus was the former.

“It’s not possible to fill Nikola’s shoes, obviously,” he said, still critiquing himself. “So I try to do my best. I think I could make some decisions maybe better, especially when (opponents) try to blitz or double-team Jamal (Murray). Maybe shoot a little better from outside. But try to do my the best. I was out for a little while, so try to catch a rhythm.”

Fourteen days, to be exact. Saric, who signed a two-year, $10.6 million contract with the Nuggets this summer, was benched five games into the season as Malone sought answers for a bench struggling to handle Jokic’s rest minutes.

“We talked about the situation, why was the decision made,” Saric said. “Obviously, the second unit wasn’t that good in that time, so he kind of made the decision that it would be me.”

Without game reps, the Croatian big man relied on pickup games with assistant coaches throughout the two-week stretch to stay in shape and maintain a feel for the game. It’s a low-stakes, relaxed setting, and Saric’s approach to it was as philosophical as it was physical.

“Sometimes take some shots maybe I will not take in a game,” he explained. “Like, if I’m starting to feel good about myself, (it builds) confidence in a game when I’m doing easier stuff. To be able to do that (in real games), because I’m confident from the practice. … It’s not easy. It’s not easy mentally. But sometimes you just need to do it. Go over there and try to be in the best shape you can when your name is called.”

The rims in New Orleans, or maybe just the basketball gods, made it difficult for Saric to sustain confidence at the beginning on Friday night. His first 3-point attempt spun around the inside of the cylinder three full times before comically popping out. Saric takes pride in his ability to space the floor and knock down shots as a pick-and-pop big. After two weeks on the bench, to miss his first shot this way felt like cruel and unusual punishment.

But by the end of the night, he was able to get the lid off the rim on at least one of his five attempts. In the meantime, he displayed his talent for reading the floor as a playmaker better than he had in any of the first five games. Acting head coach David Adelman started the game with a dribble handoff play-call, using Saric to get Jamal Murray an open 3-pointer. Then Saric started reeling in passes from Murray as a roller. He was able to scan the defense from the middle floor and make good passes to open shooters.

“He allowed us to play when we were organized like we usually play,” Adelman said. “Obviously, Nikola is an unworldly player, but Dario allows you to play in the pocket. He allows you to play off the elbow. … Early in the game, we had a nice flow because we were playing through him.”

Saric’s game was still far from perfect. There were still those missed 3s. Still the four turnovers. (After all, he was doing his best Jokic impression.) Still a few lapses on the defensive glass. For Denver’s second unit to succeed, he’ll need to vacuum up more rebounds. It’s an area where Zeke Nnaji has struggled throughout his career.

But for the first time this season, Denver’s vision for Saric made sense in New Orleans. His assists were diverse. He drew the low man and found Michael Porter Jr. in the dunker spot for an easy two, replicating the chemistry of Jokic and Aaron Gordon. He found a cutting Christian Braun for a layup. He caught a tricky entry pass above his head and relayed the ball back across the court without ever lowering it, finding Julian Strawther for a corner 3.

“He brings everything,” Jamal Murray said, defending Saric’s shaky start. “He can stretch it. He can roll. He can make good decisions. He can post up. He talks. He’s a competitor. I mean, I love playing with that guy. You can see it in his character that he wants to win. And he didn’t play for how many games? And then next thing you know, he’s starting. … I think his mental is unbelievable. I know we’re gonna need him.”

Malone, who wasn’t with the team, had spent much of the last two weeks brainstorming ways to open up Saric’s game with the rest of the coaching staff. He attempted to shoulder responsibility for not maximizing Saric, both in private conversations and public comments.

The 30-year-old Saric doesn’t feel any need to pretend he’s not disappointed when he gets benched. But his response to Malone’s decision still caught the coach’s attention, even if it was a different coach who ended up re-inserting him.

“I’m not naive,” Malone said. “I don’t expect Dario to be walking around here with a smile and pom poms like he loves this. But to his credit, he’s been the ultimate teammate.”

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