The Denver Nuggets stirred up a major surprise across the NBA when they dismissed head coach Michael Malone, despite holding the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Malone, who took over as head coach in 2015, had been one of the league’s longest-tenured and most respected leaders.
Malone’s sudden firing with just three games remaining in the regular season left all in shock. Even Malone himself was totally off guard. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective Podcast, Malone didn’t take the decision lightly.
“It got out pretty quickly in the NBA that Michael Malone’s reaction to being fired was not calm. Which is not a surprise. I don’t blame him,” Wildhorst said.
REPORT: Brian Windhorst says Michael Malone was ‘not calm’ after being fired.
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“It got out pretty quickly in the NBA that Michael Malone’s reaction to being fired was not calm, which is not a surprise. I don’t blame him.”
(via The Hoop Collective Podcast) pic.twitter.com/1UzCLJotqL
The emotional reaction was understandable, especially for a coach who had dedicated nearly a decade to the franchise. He also led them to their first NBA title in 2023. Despite the abrupt departure, it appears the team didn’t share the same sense of loss. NBA insider Tim MacMahon revealed that the move didn’t spark much regret among players or staff.
“I frankly haven’t heard sadness that Michael Malone is no longer the Nuggets head coach. It’s been pretty much a consensus that his time had come,” MacMahon said.
Michael Malone’s Loyalty To Russell Westbrook Reportedly Cost Him The Nuggets’ Trust
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One of the major factors behind Michael Malone’s declining support from the Denver team reportedly stemmed from his handling of Russell Westbrook. According to The Athletic, players grew increasingly uneasy with the preferential treatment Westbrook received, especially considering the tension his presence caused.
“All the while, Malone’s choice to continue supporting Westbrook — despite the frustration he was causing on and off the floor — ultimately led to a loss of credibility among the team’s key players. It was one thing when Malone handled Jokić and Murray with more leniency than the rest of their group, but affording Westbrook that sort of treatment, even with his Hall of Fame resume, wasn’t received well by some,” the report noted.
Now, the Nuggets have placed interim duties in the hands of David Adelman. Malone leaves behind a significant legacy, including 471 wins in Denver and the historic 2023 championship. His firing also marked the fourth head coaching change of the season, joining the exits of Mike Brown, Monty Williams, and Taylor Jenkins.
