Malone on Hartenstein: He’s a young man that just needs an opportunity. I think he’ll get that here

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone talks about Isaiah Hartenstein, one of the main candidates to replace Mason Plumlee in the rotation:

“He’s 22 years old and he knows who he is as a player. That sounds simplistic, but [it’s] really important for players to know who they are. Isaiah has been great in our practices, his ability to run the floor, screen, roll, finish at the rim, make athletic plays defensively at the rim [and] be a shot-blocker. I’ve really been impressed with his talk. He’s a new player that’s come into our gym and is not afraid to open his mouth, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
He’s a young man that just needs an opportunity. And I think he’ll get that here”

Last year the big man averaged 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Houston Rockets, and 24.9 points, 14.8 rebounds and 4.2 assist per game for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in G League.