*****Shake-Up in Denver Nuggets Organization: Unexpected Departure of Michael Malone*****
With Serbian sensation Nikola Jokić, a truly exceptional player who has cemented his status as one of the all-time greats, leading the charge with another remarkable season, the Denver Nuggets have made significant changes just before the end of the regular season and as the playoffs approach.
In a surprising move, the Nuggets have parted ways with head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed. Both individuals played key roles in the Nuggets’ historic NBA title victory in 2023. The decision has left many puzzled as the team is currently in a playoff position and considered a strong contender in the competitive Western Conference. Malone had previously led the Nuggets to success and had the opportunity to do so again, but tensions in the organization led to these unexpected changes that have sent shockwaves through the basketball world.
Nuggets president and governor Josh Kroenke explained in a social media video that the decision to let go of Malone and Booth was driven by concerns about the team’s performance and the direction in which it was heading. Despite recent wins, underlying issues were troubling to Kroenke, who believed a change was necessary to prevent a disappointing end to the season and to potentially achieve a deep playoff run.
The decision to remove Malone and Booth stemmed from disagreements over roster construction, with Malone favoring experienced players while Booth leaned towards developing younger talent, particularly through the NBA draft. Despite their success on the court, the differing philosophies created tension between the two. The unresolved clash between veteran players and younger prospects, as well as dissatisfaction with Malone’s coaching style, ultimately led to their departures.
The move to bring in a new coach and GM was seen as a fresh start for the team, as the disagreements between Malone and Booth had become untenable. Despite their past achievements, it was clear that a change was needed for the Nuggets to reach their full potential.
The abrupt changes come at a critical juncture for the Nuggets, who were performing well in the Western Conference but have faced challenges in recent games, both offensively and defensively. The team will now look to regroup under new leadership as they aim to make a strong postseason push.
The Denver Nuggets have been struggling recently, with a record of 3-7 in their last 10 games and a four-game losing streak. In a tightly packed Western Conference, where just two games separate the 3rd seed from the 8th seed, Denver has slipped to fourth place and is now at risk of having to compete in the play-in tournament.
Since the All-Star break, the Nuggets have seen a decline both offensively and defensively. Before the break, they were scoring 119.5 points and allowing 113.7 points per 100 possessions, but after the break, those numbers dropped to 116.8 and 118.3, respectively.
The team suffered a tough loss to Minnesota on April 1 in double overtime, despite a remarkable performance from Nikola Jokic, who recorded a 60-point triple-double. They also fell to Indiana, with Jokic putting up impressive numbers once again.
The Nuggets’ current situation highlights the challenges of sustaining success in today’s NBA. After winning the title in 2023, it seemed like Denver was poised for more championships, but they have struggled to return to that level this season.
In response to their recent struggles, the Nuggets have appointed David Adelman, who was previously an assistant coach under Michael Malone, as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Adelman, the son of former NBA coach Rick Adelman, has been with the team since 2017 and is known for his role in developing Denver’s offense around Jokic. The team’s owner expressed confidence in the coaching staff’s ability to step up and adapt to their new roles.
This decision comes after the firing of Michael Malone, with the team president explaining the move in an article on USA TODAY.
