Kenneth Faried is a fresh off a great showing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, and was welcomed back by a brand-new contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. So that would lead you to believe the organization is fond of the front court star. Per ESPN, that’s not the case.
Faried is apparently disliked by some team brass, perhaps coach Shaw and even some of his teammates. If this is true, it proves the notion that talent is king.
Several sources around the league insist the Nuggets’ hand was forced with regard to Faried. After the signing of [JJ] Hickson to a three-year, approximately $16 million contract soon after Connelly’s arrival, the sense was the bouncy big man was insurance against Faried’s departure in free agency in 2014. Faried was a fan favorite in Denver, but multiple sources with knowledge of the Nuggets’ thinking maintain the team “isn’t crazy about him,” particularly Shaw. But with Faried’s boffo showing last summer with Team USA and a loyal following in Denver, the media-conscious Nuggets caved, adding yet another imperfect 4-man to their lot.
“[Faried] is a helluva player and plays hard, but he isn’t well liked [in the organization],” a league source said. “That gets glossed over. He says crazy s—. He thinks he’s the guy, and other guys take exception to his contract.”
