The Denver Nuggets have struggled to have effective frontcourt combinations on defense in recent seasons.

Michael Malone hopes to change that aspect of the club.

"When I got the job, I mentioned the team in 2008-09 that made the conference finals," said Malone. "That was a team that was eighth in defensive efficiency. They defended and ran. That’s a model I’d like to use: defend, run, and use the altitude."

Malone acknowledges the Nuggets need to put size and shotblocking beside Kenneth Faried.