Malone, the Nuggets’ head whistle since 2015, sits proudly in that camp. He’s never been shy about offering an opinion on the news of the day, even if it’s from a worldview that doesn’t always mesh with 100% of his audience. It’s a free country.

When the Denver Nuggets signed 17-year veteran Russell Westbrook in free agency this summer, they knew pace would be one way he could help the team. While pace