The Denver Nuggets celebrated their first NBA championship in franchise history with a massive parade in downtown Denver on Monday. Thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer for their heroes, who rode on open-top buses and waved to the crowd.
But one person who stood out from the rest was head coach Michael Malone, who wore a shirt that said “Put This In Your Pipe And Smoke It” with a picture of a nugget. The shirt was a reference to the team’s nickname and a playful jab at the critics who doubted the Nuggets’ chances of winning the title.
The origin of the shirt
The shirt was a gift from one of Malone’s friends, who had it custom-made for him. Malone said he decided to wear it for the parade because he wanted to have some fun and show his personality.
“I thought it was a great shirt. It’s kind of a tongue-in-cheek thing. It’s not meant to be disrespectful to anybody. It’s just a way of saying, ‘Hey, we did it. We’re the champions.’ And I think our fans loved it,” Malone said.
Malone added that he was surprised by how much attention the shirt got on social media and in the media. He said he received many compliments and requests for the shirt from fans and celebrities alike.
“I didn’t expect it to go viral like that. I guess it’s a good thing. It shows that people are paying attention to us and what we’ve accomplished,” Malone said.
The meaning of the shirt
The shirt was not only a humorous statement, but also a symbol of the Nuggets’ resilience and defiance. The team faced many challenges and obstacles throughout the season and the playoffs, but they never gave up or backed down.
They overcame injuries to key players, such as Jamal Murray and Will Barton. They rallied from 3-1 deficits in two consecutive series, against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. They beat the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks in six games in the Finals, with MVP Nikola Jokic leading the way.
The shirt was a way of saying that the Nuggets proved everyone wrong and silenced all the doubters. It was a way of saying that they were proud of themselves and their achievements. It was a way of saying that they were the best team in the league.
The impact of the shirt
The shirt was not only a hit with the fans, but also with the players and the staff. Malone said he received many messages of support and appreciation from his team, who thanked him for being a great leader and a great coach.
“They loved it. They thought it was awesome. They said it was very fitting for me and for our team. They said it showed how much I care about them and how much I believe in them,” Malone said.
Malone also said that he hoped that the shirt would inspire other people to chase their dreams and overcome their challenges.
“I hope that people can look at our story and see that anything is possible if you work hard, stay together, and have faith. I hope that people can see that we’re not just a basketball team, we’re a family. And I hope that people can see that we’re not just wearing shirts, we’re making history,” Malone said.
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