NBA officiating representatives met with the Nuggets following Tuesday’s shootaround as part of the league’s new program to smooth growing tensions between players and referees.
The meetings, which are taking place with every team, are designed to “discuss rules interpretations, on-court conduct and expectations of NBA referees,” according to a league release. They are helmed by Michelle Johnson, an NBA senior vice president and head of referee operations, and Monty McCutchen, a former official who is now the vice president of referee training and development.
Nuggets standout center Nikola Jokic, who’s been known to boisterously argue with officials from time to time, and coach Michael Malone both described the meeting as a positive dialogue.
“Sometimes as a coach, you’re ready to jump a guy and to use very colorful language,” Malone said. “And that’s not gonna go anywhere. “So I think it’s (about) how we approach each other and how we communicate with each other.”
Added Jokic: “I think (the meetings are) a good move by them. They’re part of the business, like we are. We need to be together in this.”
Mudiay ready for “new chapter.” Emmanuel Mudiay refused to speak to the Denver media throughout the season before being dealt to the Knicks at last week’s trade deadline. But he recently broke his silence with the New York press corps, saying being traded has given him an opportunity to start “a new chapter in my life.”
“It was some stuff that happened,’’ Mudiay said of his media silence. “I’m not expecting to do that here (with the Knicks). Just moving on from that. That’s why I’m so happy to be here and kind of forget what happened in Denver and just try to move on in a happy manner.”
Mudiay totaled 14 points (on 5-of-14 shooting) and 10 assists in 29 minutes in his Knicks debut, a 121-113 loss at Indiana on Sunday. He finished with seven points on 3-of-7 shooting, four rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes in Monday’s 108-92 loss at Philadelphia.
Footnote: Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray, who earlier Tuesday was listed as questionable to play against the Spurs due to chest soreness, was in the starting lineup. The Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management), LaMarcus Alridge (knee) and Rudy Gay (heel) were all out Tuesday.