Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff thought Michael Malone’s early technical foul contributed to his team being less physical during Friday’s 134-119 home loss vs. the Denver Nuggets.
(via Detroit Pistons):
“Imma give Mike Malone the credit tonight. When we were playing physical to start the game, he jumped out there and got a technical quick. And then, we were no longer allowed to play physical. So, give Mike Malone the credit. As good as Joker & Jamal Murray were, Mike Malone was a stud tonight. But it’s a great thing for us. It’s a lesson for us is there’s some nights where physically is gonna be monitored even when it’s within the rules. Tonight we played physical within the rules, but there came a point where we were no longer allowed to play physical. So now, we have to learn the next step: How do we improve in those areas and start to use anticipation and instincts and beating guys to spots when they’re not gonna allow us to play physical like we like to play?”
