Darrell Arthur is always drenched in sweat on game days. But that typically stems from his work before the stands fill. He lifts weights, conditions and plays 3-on-3 games, before resuming his role as the self-proclaimed “head of the bench committee” at tipoff.
But Arthur eased off his rigorous pregame routine before Tuesday’s contest in San Antonio. The 10th-year forward needed to save his energy for game action. With Mason Plumlee out with a calf strain, Arthur stepped in as the surprising starter against the Spurs and could be in line for more action throughout Plumlee’s absence.
“I’m proud of DA,” coach Michael Malone said after the game. “I’m not surprised, because of the way he carries himself every day, his work ethic, his toughness and his professionalism. He’s been a veteran leader the whole season, and (Tuesday) I think was another example of him showcasing that.”
Before Tuesday, Arthur had played 50 total minutes over seven games this season. His primary impact took place by building relationships off the court, a role recently occupied in Denver by Mike Miller and Jameer Nelson.
Teammates coaxed Arthur into giving a speech in the locker room before every game. He’s established a strong rapport with Malone, recently stepping into the coach’s office to express his belief that Kenneth Faried deserved more playing time. He makes a point to spend time with every teammate, offering encouragement during shooting slumps or passing along wisdom from his tenure in Memphis that evolved from winning 24 games as a rookie in 2008-09 to reaching the Western Conference finals in his fifth season. And he gains respect through his intense work ethic, recently emerging from a “light” practice desperately needing a towel and barely able to speak because he was breathing so heavily.
“He’s pretty much done everything that we want to do,” guard/forward Will Barton said. “… It’s different hearing it from a guy like that. When you see his sacrifice for the betterment of the team every day, it’s easy for you to listen to him.”
Arthur appreciates his early mentors in Memphis, learning intangibles such as toughness and professionalism from Tony Allen, Rudy Gay and cousin Quinton Ross. A broader perspective has helped him embrace that role in Denver this season. After struggling with knee problems in 2016-17, a summer trip to Germany for injection treatments made an instant difference. His eight-month-old daughter, Charlotte, immediately brings a smile to his face each morning.
He’s also always known an 82-game schedule can take unexpected turns. So he was ready when Malone told Arthur during a Tuesday meeting that he would start and guard LaMarcus Alridge, an on-court foe since both played high school ball in Dallas. He scored a season-high 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting while making sure “I didn’t get in anybody’s way.” He said he didn’t feel abnormally tired following his first double-digit outing since mid-December.
After Tuesday’s game, Arthur had not been told how much playing time he’ll receive while Plumlee remains out for at least Thursday’s home date against Oklahoma City.
But for at least one night, Arthur moved from the head of the bench committee to an on-court contributor.
“Whatever the team needs, I’m gonna try to fill in and do the best I can,” Arthur said.