The NBA world was shocked when the Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday, just days before the playoffs begin.
“It is with no pleasure that we announce that we have relieved Michael Malone of his head coaching duties, effectively immediately. David Adelman will assume our head coaching role for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” Denver owner Josh Kroenke’s statement read.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor revealed that the two staffers never liked each other on X.
“Absolutely nuts. Booth and Malone never liked each other, rarely spoke, and talked behind each other’s backs. With the team struggling on the court, Nuggets ownership decided to fire both. Insane,” O’Connor wrote.
Another longtime NBA insider Zach Lowe revealed last year that things weren’t all that well in Denver.
“There are rumblings,” Lowe said at the time on his podcast. “Rumblings! That the coaching staff and front office, or at least the head coach and the front office, aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye in Denver. To a degree even unusual for the NBA.”
Matt Moore of Action Network said, “Nikola Jokic was informed of the decision earlier today before it was announced today, per sources.
“Jokic HAD *NOT* requested a change in front office or coaching, though his evident frustration with this season played a part in ownership’s decision-making process.”
Nikola Jokic has reportedly been frustrated with the Nuggets’ defensive performance this season, The Athletic reports.
“…league sources there had been significant frustration within the locker room at how the Nuggets were playing, particularly defensively. The Nuggets were just 20th in defensive rating. Jokić has been frustrated with the team’s defensive commitment and performance this season.”
One thing is clear – championships no longer guarantee job security.
“I wake up every day saying this could be my last day,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said in reaction to Malone’s firing. “You have to have that type of perspective because it gives you gratitude and it keeps you hungry. You have to have a healthy balance if you want this for as long as you can. At the same time, you’re very much replaceable because that’s just how it works. Every day I remind myself of my own mortality.”
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