From being the 40th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft to being labeled a vulnerable shooter during his rookie season, Will Barton has risen to known heights and made the impossible possible. He became the Nuggets' franchise leader in 3-pointers, scoring 769 of them in the Denver jersey.
"It meant a lot to me," Barton said. "I wouldn't downplay it. It was big time... who I am, where do I come from, what was knocking in the league was that I couldn't shoot and that was true at the time. It was. There was a weakness I recognized after my rookie year and I spent a lot of hours trying to make my trey ball as good as I could and it just shows once I traded in Denver.
Jamal Murray, a 3-point specialist, joked with Barton after the game, saying that when he returned he would break that record in 20 games, and Barton said without a doubt that it would certainly Will happen. But all jokes aside, Barton's teammates wanted to see him win and did whatever they could to help him achieve that.
“Jeff was on the court. Shout out to Jeff, he was telling me he was running a play for me to get the last play,” Barton said. "Finally I took it off Jamaichel's screen and I hit it."
Barton had been in a slump in shooting for the past three games and Michael Malone could tell that the stress of breaking the record had gotten to him. He pulled her aside and helped her calm down.
"I said just play your game," Malone said. "If you play your game. It's not a question of whether you're going to break it, just when. Calm down and stop putting all the pressure on yourself."
While Barton was breaking records, DeMarcus Cousins was debuting in his first game as the Denver Nuggets and did not disappoint. Whether it was dunking or hitting long-range shots, Boogie was firing on all cylinders and finished the night with 31 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes of play. He also hit three triples.
"What I love about him is the cousins are so invested," Malone said. "Like a guy who's new to our team, he's so invested and he understands this is the last stop. Twenty-nine other teams and the phone wasn't ringing. So he's doing this work extensively and Working so hard. He's getting in shape. He's losing weight and he's trying to handle his emotions as best he can."
The Cousins haven't had a 30-point game since 2018 before Friday night, but they always had the confidence to play at a high level, even now in their 12th season. He just needed a team to believe in him.
"I always believed in myself that it was more than everyone else," said Cousins. "But my confidence and my confidence in my abilities that never wavered. Some people close a door for others and others will open a door for you. Wait for your opportunity and take advantage of it if you get it." Try lifting."
Nuggets are 11-1 when cousins play and influence the game more not only on the court but in the locker room as well. He has taken on leadership roles and isn't afraid to coach some young people.
"When you don't know Cuz I think some people are intimidated," Malone said. "What is this guy doing? I hear he's crazy. The talent stands out and then you realize this man is a good friend. This man has been a great partner. This man has been a leader. He's perfect. is new and he is meeting people in the right way so i think he has a whole locker room, not just for his talent and ability but the way he has pushed himself, how hard he is working, Respects her for her role. Acceptance to play behind Nicola."
The cousin's peers have completely bought out the older man taking on the leadership role. His 12 years in the league have given him the seasoned experience needed to guide a team. In previous situations, it was difficult for teammates to deal with the persona of the 4x NBA All-Star, but he remained himself and continued to provide the tools needed to aid the team's success.
"I'll always be who I am but I've learned through experience that you have to cater to some people," Cousins said. "You can't get the message across to every person in the same way. Just KYP. Know your personnel. So not just my peers, organization or whatever the case may be. But I have learned it and I use it in every aspect of life." But that being said I will always be myself but I am definitely feeling a situation and some people can't handle my personality which is fine. There are some personalities that I like No, but I will always be myself."
Denver has won nine of their last 11 matches and is playing some of their best basketball of the season. The Nuggets are sixth in the Wester Conference standings with a 37-26 record. They will face the New Orleans Pelicans at home next Sunday.