NBA INSIDER

Bones Hyland’s summer of maturation

Maturity might be the difference between a sophomore slump and the second-year jump Bones Hyland hopes to make.

When Nuggets coach Michael Malone and Hyland parted ways for the start of the offseason, the Nuggets coach wanted to see the guard with a personality bigger than his slight 6-foot-2 frame return with the same joy — mixed with a bit more dedication to his profession. Part of that was finding a routine and sticking to it.

“What he showed me this summer was that he was willing to grow up, willing to mature,” Malone said. Hyland’s a fan of the early results. “I’m in the best headspace right now,” Hyland said, “and I’ve been in that space all summer.”

The 22-year-old could very well be preparing for his senior season of college basketball but opted for an early start to his professional career. He rewarded the Nuggets’ decision to draft him with the 26th pick of last year’ draft with a second-team All-Rookie season and set a new franchise record for 3-pointers made by a rookie.

“You saw the potential. You saw the excitement,” Malone said. “You saw the ability.”

Few players, if any, could bring the Ball Arena crowd to its feet like Hyland when he’s taking and making increasingly deep 3-pointers, but Malone saw room for improvement on the nights when those shots didn’t fall.

“When you don’t make the 3, when you get scored on, you got to keep on playing,” Malone said of his message. “Don’t bow your head, don’t feel sorry for yourself, get your ass back on defense and help your team. That’s going to be, I think, a big part of his maturation process.”

Hyland is expected to be the lead guard of a new-look second unit. It’s an increased responsibility from his rookie year when his playing time was inconsistent before he established himself in the rotation.

“My biggest jump has always been my Year 2 from high school to college,” Hyland said.

“That’s just been the biggest thing for me – more opportunity. I just want to go out there and be myself. It’s going to be special.”

His summer was spent taking over various pro-am games and training at home in Delaware, his college’s facilities at Virginia Commonwealth University and in Denver.

Malone said he was regularly the best player on the court in pick-up sessions the last two months.

Hyland also spent the offseason hosting meet and greets with his new French bulldog — Tressi, named for Hyland’s favorite term for a 3-pointer — at local dog parks.

He said he always tries to make a point of taking a photo, signing an autograph or having a quick conversation with fans.

“That’s going to take you farther than basketball ever will,” Hyland said. “Building relationships off the floor and just having character, (being) willing to go out and talk to people who may not see you every day.”

The maturity on and off the court has Malone thinking a second-year jump is a likely outcome.

“I think Bones is poised for a hell of a second season in the NBA,” Malone said.