Carmelo Anthony is convinced that along with the T-Wolves, Jaden McDaniels have to live up from his “bad defenders” comment against the Nuggets for the remainder of their intense first-round series.

Jaden McDaniels made headlines for dropping in what has been a highly intriguing jab against the Denver Nuggets.

As their first-round series intensifies, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward tagged Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. as “bad defenders” in the aftermath of their 119-114 epic comeback win in Game 2.

McDaniels’ remarks raised eyebrows for what has been his direct criticism against the Nuggets, but Gordon couldn’t even care less about it.

As far as Carmelo Anthony’s concern, what McDaniels simply stated ignites rivalry, and is something the Timberwolves must back up as their series progresses against the Nuggets.

“That’s grown man talk. You didn’t beat around the bush—you called names out. You didn’t just say the Nuggets can’t defend; you named Jamal Murray, Joker, Aaron Gordon, and Tim Hardaway. When you have that kind of passion about your point, it’s on,” the Hall of Famer and Denver legend said on NBA Showtime on NBC. “It was already a rivalry between the Nuggets and the Wolves, but now it’s personal. Joker is sitting back thinking, ‘I’ve got something for you.’

“The other night, people were joking about him crashing out, but hearing this could take him to another level. The question is whether everyone else can match that intensity, because this is war—it’s chess. They went into your house, took Game 2, and now they’re confident, back in the same mindset as before. Now it’s time to back it up. If they don’t win Game 3, then the conversation changes. And that message you sent is echoing everywhere right now.”

This year’s first-round series marks the third postseason meeting between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves in the past four years.

With the seven-game set tied at one game apiece, McDaniels’ viral remarks can only make Thursday’s Game 3 even more anticipating between the Nuggets and the Wolves.

 

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