Malone: Derozan should’ve been All-star

Denver coach Michael Malone wanted to see Demar Derozan in the 2021 All-star Game, and not just because the Spurs’ leading scorer and playmaker torched the Nuggets in a January game at the AT&T Center.

“I can’t speak for the rest of the league, but I know for myself I had voted him in as an All-star reserve,” Malone said before Wednesday night’s game in Denver.

In leading the Spurs to a 10-point win over the Nuggets in the first meeting between the teams this season, Derozan finished with 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field and a 7-for-7 showing at the free-throw line and added 10 assists.

It was one of Derozan’s eight double-doubles of the season and one of his seven games with 30 or more points.

Derozan arrived in the Mile High City averaging 21.0 points and 7.0 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 88.1 percent from the foul line.

But those numbers still weren’t enough to land him his fifth All-star berth and first as a Spur.

“He’s one of the tougher covers in the NBA, and he does it without shooting the 3-point shot,” Malone said. “(With) his ability to get to the foul line, his ability to post up and knock down midrange shots, I think people around the league probably view him the same way. He is a hell of a basketball player.”

Malone said he’s also impressed with the way Derozan carries himself off the court.

“He’s always come across as a sincere person, a genuine person of high character,” Malone said. “I can’t speak for everybody else, but I am definitely a big fan of Demar Derozan the player as well as the person.”