Bones Hyland is about to make his NBA postseason debut.
Is the Nuggets rookie nervous? Not a chance.
“I’m ready for the bright lights,” Hyland said. “That’s something I never shy away from.”
It’s no surprise the energetic reserve point guard enters the Nuggets’ first-round series against Golden State with a bravado that matches his game. Hyland quickly became a fan favorite this season with substance — averaging 14 points and 4.6 assists since the beginning of March — and style.
Hyland’s nearly permanent grin, animated reactions to big plays, and egging on of the Ball Arena crowd has earned him a reputation as the team’s emotional sparkplug.
“Don’t change because it’s the postseason. We need (Hyland) to be that Energizer Bunny,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Thursday’s practice. “Push the ball and play with great pace. Get your teammates involved and make big shots for us. Fight and compete on defense. With all that being said, in Game 1, he’s going to be looking around and saying: ‘Wow. I’ve never been here before.’ … Experience is the best teacher.”
Hyland is embracing the leadership of veteran players in preparation for Saturday night.
“Jeff Green was talking to me before practice today on attention-to-detail type stuff. That’s something I appreciated,” Hyland said. “I’ve been watching lots and lots of film. Just trying to understand how the Warriors play defense. Just little things where I can do well and get my teammates involved in the best way possible.”
Green added: “(Hyland) sees the vets and the way we’re approaching the practices and film studies. He’ll catch on quick. He’s a smart young guy with a big IQ who is willing to learn.”
Hyland’s confidence entering Game 1 is familiar to teammate Austin Rivers. In 2015, he was a third-year pro with the Clippers making his NBA postseason debut against the Spurs. His first assignment off the bench was defending future NBA Hall-of-Famer Manu Ginobili. Rivers said: “I was excited, but I was so nervous.”
Hyland will face similar pressure on Saturday facing the Warriors’ star-studded backcourt in a road playoff atmosphere.
“It’s going to get the better of him at times. There’s no way to explain it other than to go through it for the first time,” Rivers said. “He’s going to play in an environment that he’s never played in before. To double that, he’s going against the Warriors. … He’s got a big heart. That dude is a competitor. I don’t ever worry about Bones.”
