Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who was the head coach in Sacramento for a season-and-a-half from 2013-14, didn’t hold back in his criticism of his former employer for the way the Kings handled Mike Brown‘s dismissal, as Bennett Durando of The Denver Post relays.
“What really pissed me off about it was that they lost (Thursday) night, fifth game in a row, I believe — tough loss, fouling a jump-shooter — they have practice this morning, he does his post-(practice) media, and he’s in his car going to the airport to fly to L.A.,” Malone said. “And they call him on the phone (to fire him). No class. No balls. That’s what I’ll say about that.”
Malone said he was initially “really shocked and surprised” when he heard that Brown had been fired, but quickly realized the news wasn’t all that unexpected for two reasons.
“One, because as an NBA head coach, ultimately you’re going to get the blame,” Malone said. “When they win, it’s going to go to (Domantas) Sabonis and (De’Aaron) Fox. When you lose, it’s gonna go to Mike Brown. That’s the way it works. And two, who he works for. So I’m not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person.”
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- Fines and/or suspensions could be coming after Suns center Jusuf Nurkic and Mavericks forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were ejected from Friday’s game for their roles in a fourth-quarter altercation (Twitter video link). As Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic details, Nurkic was called for an offensive foul and began heading toward his basket before turning back and exchanging words with Marshall and Washington. The incident escalated when Nurkic slapped Marshall in the side of the head. Marshall responded by throwing a punch at Nurkic as the Suns big man was shoved to the floor by Washington.
- In the wake of Thursday’s 17-point home loss to Houston, Pelicans head coach Willie Green bemoaned his club’s “lack of competitiveness,” telling reporters, “We were just soft tonight. Period” (Twitter link via Will Guillory of The Athletic). New Orleans followed up that performance with another loss – its ninth in a row – on Friday at home vs. the Grizzlies and now has a 5-27 record.
- Grizzlies star Ja Morant exited Friday’s win over New Orleans early due to a right shoulder ailment. While it didn’t look in the moment like a significant injury, it’s the same shoulder that Morant had surgically repaired last January, so the team figures to play it safe with its franchise player. According to head coach Taylor Jenkins, Morant will be reevaluated within the “next couple days” to determine the severity of the injury, tweets Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com.
- Two-way guard Yuki Kawamura has only logged 41 total minutes across 14 outings for the Grizzlies, but the Japanese rookie has made Memphis the NBA’s most popular team in his home country this season. Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal has the story.
Wow, Mr Bitterman laying down the facts of the matter. OK well you better keep winning in Denver or it’ll happen again for you. Not many are immune to languishing in loser land and keeping their jobs.
It’s one thing to have a lackluster roster, but when you have the best player in the world you better make it to the conference Finals at least every year.
He ain’t the one who decided to pay MPJ the max afaik. Nugs can’t afford good role players and there isn’t another min salary Bruce brown available.
However, he is the one who decided to not play p Watson at all over MPJ, which resulted in the entire starting five becoming exhausted vs t-wolves, as they all need to work harder with a selfish MPJ instead of a hustle player like p wot.
A surprisingly bad decision as p wot seems like the most fitting defender vs ant edwards. Imagine how much that experience would’ve helped p wat for this year, even if they wouldn’t have won. Instead, MPJ got to sprint around the 3 pt line some more and jog back on D for 35MM a year.
In the nugs championship year MPJ averaged 20 mins.
Poor jokic for having to suffer through having such a bad teammate. I can’t stand watching MPJ’s depressive body language while making that much more money than all the other wings that are busting their asses for the team. Can’t imagine how much cancer is in that locker room
Nevermind he’s body language. The guy is literally incapable of any play requiring effort and heart. Dude is just woeful on the defensive end. Just watch him off the ball next time nuggets play. It’s a laugh. Watch him rebound hard on the Offensive end if he can get 2 points out of it. MPJ makes the D LeBron has played the last 5 years or so look good. Defensive player of the year good. Not invested in any part of the game unless it involves getting a bucket. He’s garbage, always has been. It’s only now the role players or lesser paid players have gone It’s obvious to see. Not to mention he’s bad back. Just get rid of that contract. Trade him for towel boy.
I hated the mpj pick from the moment they made it. Why would you draft a basketball player with back problems? Running and jumping all game long probably requires a healthy back. Paying him made the pro team the same as his college, misery.
I like Michael Malone. Doesn’t beat around the bush.
Nuggets better trade for Butler.
free mike brown