Orlando Magic Receives High Praise From Denver Nuggets Coach Mike Malone

The Orlando Magic has played some great basketball so far this season, and Mike Malone, the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, had some high praise for the team after the two teams met on Wednesday.

In the Orlando Magic's last game against the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the team got the win, and it has started to put a lot of people on notice.

As a result of its win, the team now owns the second best record in the Eastern Conference, and is poised to make some noise in the In-Season Tournament, as well as the NBA Playoffs if the team continues like this. In an interview with Alex Kennedy after their loss, Nuggets coach Mike Malone said that he believes that the way the Magic plays is the reason why it is such a good team.

"Any time you're the reigning champion, you're going to get everybody's best for 82 games," Malone said. "I tell you what, that Orlando Magic team, I don't think it matters who they're playing; they play hard."

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) shoots a jump shot over Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Playing the same way against every single team, no matter how good or bad they are, is a great way to maintain consistency. And from what we have heard from Magic coach Jamahl Mosley in the past, consistency is one of the most important things to him when it comes to making a playoff-ready team. 

"They come at you for 48 minutes," Malone said. "No matter if you're a reigning champion or a team that's lost 10 in a row, they're going to play the same way. And that's why they're a good team and a dangerous team."

Receiving praise like this from the head coach of the defending champions could make more people notice how well the Magic is playing, and could draw more attention to the team going forward.

Magic Faces In-Season Tournament Elimination vs. Celtics

The Magic will be back in action today in In-Season Tournament action against the best team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET from the Amway Center.