like Mike.

"I want our guys to feel comfortable with who they are," Malone said. "You have to be comfortable in your own skin. You have to be comfortable with admitting and accepting who you are. A lot of times young players, and even young coaches, try be something they're not."

Before the NBA suspended operations, the Nuggets (43-22) ranked third in the Western Conference largely because of center Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray. Malone called them "two franchise players." Jokic made his second consecutive All-Star appearance this season, led the NBA with four game-winners and tied the Nuggets’ franchise record for most triple-doubles (12). Murray made the All-Rookie second team after the Nuggets selected him seventh overall in the 2016 draft. He is second on the teamWe're going to police us and will hold each other accountable,' that is what will allow us to go from being a good team into a great team."

Malone admired from afar how Jordan helped the Bulls become that team. Malone’s father, Brendan, coached in the NBA for over 28 years, including assistant jobs with the New York Knicks (1986-88) and the Detroit Pistons (1988-95), as well as the Toronto Raptors head coach (1995-96). That season, the Raptors were one of only 10 teams to beat the Bulls during the regular season. Malone often watched Jordan play when his dad coached Knicks and Pistons teams that often employed the so-called "Jordan Rules."

"They were just trying to beat up on Michael Jordan. Every time he drove to the basket, he