Denver Nuggets Relieved Head Coach Michael Malone Of His Duties
Wow color us shocked! A championship caliber team has just rocked the NBA world. And in the final week of the regular NBA season no less. In an effort to give the team “the best chance to compete” for another championship, the Denver Nuggets have relieved head coach Michael Malone of his duties. And to add further drama to the situation, the team is not going to extend the contract of general manager Calvin Booth. Effectively firing their key personnel.
Below is the statement issued by Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment:
“It is with no pleasure that we announce that we have relieved Michael Malone of his head coaching duties, effective 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.
While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship-level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship-level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver.
There is no amount of gratitude that we can properly convey for his contributions since he joined our franchise in 2015. It is with our utmost respect that we would like to thank Coach Malone for the most successful decade in Nuggets history, setting the all-time wins record and helping deliver Denver our first championship.”
Denver Nuggets Relieved Head Coach Michael Malone Of His Duties
And he released an additional statement regarding not extending general manager Calvin Booth:
“I want to thank Calvin Booth for leading our front office for the past three years and, most importantly, for helping put the final pieces in place for the roster that delivered Denver and our fans their first NBA Championship. Calvin’s knowledge of the game, his passion for scouting, and his long history as a player and executive in the NBA helped lift our organization to new heights, which we will continue moving forward. We are grateful to Calvin for his eight years with the Nuggets and know his place in Nuggets history as our first championship-winning GM will be honored for years to come.”
Why would a team in playoff contention fire both the coach and general manager at this critical point in time? Well if the rumor mill is correct there was no love lost between the two men. NBA Analyst Kevin O’Connor offered his take on the situation, “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.”
The move is puzzling considering Malone’s resume with the Nuggets. CBS Sports writer Jasmyn Wimbish provided these gems regarding Malone’s career in Denver:
“Malone, who was about to complete his 10th season with the franchise, is the winningest coach in Nuggets history, and had made the postseason six consecutive times. Malone, until this week, was the only head coach three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić has played for in his 10-year career.”
Denver Nuggets Not Renewing General Manager’s Contract
Stirring the pot a little more, Senior ESPN Writer Ramona Shelbourne posted the following on x.com: “This situation in Denver has been tense and pressurized since the beginning of the year. Both Malone and Booth had big ideas and strong wills. Now both are out…” Malone and Booth differed in their opinions on which players should be favored. Malone favored the veterans, whereas Booth wanted to lean on the younger guys on the roster and develop the talent they drafted. No wonder they butted heads.
With them gone, assistant coach David Adelman will be the interim head coach. Will the firings have an impact on the Nuggets that the organization is hoping for? Only time will tell.
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