Interim coach David Adelman talked about improving the “overall vibe” around the Nuggets as he met with the media before Wednesday’s game at Sacramento, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link). Adelman also cited the need for players “to start to rely on each other in a more positive way. And constructive criticism is good, but I think there’s gotta be a better way to communicate with our group. And that I think will lead to better play.”
Adelman is in a difficult spot as he takes over a team locked in a tight playoff race with three games left in the regular season. Denver could wind up anywhere from third to eighth in the conference standings, so it’s urgent to pick up wins tonight against the Kings, Friday at home against Memphis, and Sunday at Houston.
Adelman also acknowledged former head coach Michael Malone, who amassed 471 victories in nearly 10 seasons with the Nuggets before being dismissed on Tuesday along with general manager Calvin Booth (Twitter link).
“Best coach in (franchise) history,” Adelman said. “Can’t argue it. Percentage-wise. Wins. Finals championship. … The national narrative, whatever it is, I look at it as a hell of a run. And he’s not done.”
Adelman told reporters that vice chairman Josh Kroenke met with the players after the decision to fire Malone and Booth was announced (Twitter link). According to Adelman, Kroenke’s message was, “To be concise: ‘Be better.'”
There’s more on the Nuggets:
- Booth deserved to be fired after letting the trade deadline pass without a major addition, but Malone should have been treated better, contends Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck argues that if Malone had been in charge of personnel, he never would have let Bruce Brown or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave in free agency. Renck also points out that Malone gave opportunities to the young talent that Booth drafted, but only Christian Braun has emerged as a dependable rotation player.
- Booth’s mistakes included gambling on Jamal Murray‘s health by giving him a four-year max extension last offseason, writes Sean Keeler of The Denver Post. Murray was a vital part of the 2023 championship team, but he missed the previous two postseasons with a torn ACL and his status for this year’s playoffs is uncertain due to inflammation in his right hamstring.
- Giannis Sfairopoulos, head coach of Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, talked to George Adamopoulos of Eurohoops about getting an offer to become an assistant with the Nuggets when Malone took over the team in 2015. “If I agreed, maybe I would still be there,” Sfairopoulos said. “But that’s not the point. The point is it was bad timing.”
Braun is the clear MIP this year, that’s for sure!
But the Kroenke’s are the problem here… as they only care about making money, not winning! Then they have the cheek to expect the team to win when they weaken it every year with their greed!
#FireTheKroenke’s
So basically the Nuggets players are soft and didn’t like the way Malone would criticize them. Great reason to fire a head coach and bodes so well for the playoffs.
Dead cat bounce may work in the regular season but it’s doubtful to work in the playoffs. Good luck.
I am sorry, but how would have Malone kept KCP and Brown? Would he have paid them himself? Thata makes zero sense.
Adelman’s saying he wants the players “to start to rely on each other in a more positive way” is easy to say, but not so easy to make happen, mainly because Booth’s roster has left them with the thin bench and no help at the trade deadline.
One thing he did was continue to start Pickett (Malone implemented that in the 1st game of the losing streak, but had Westbrook close in the double OT loss), who responded with his best game of the season, 18 pts on 60% shooting including 5-7 threes.
The bench was still awful though, shooting 7-22 led by Westbrook’s 2-11 bricking.
My guess is that they win the final 2 games (at home vs Grizzlies and at the resting Rockets). But if Murray’s hamstring keeps him out, they could easily lose in the 1st rd.
Biggest difference in Nuggets. Is their Defense. Has fallen to 20s. Their bench is thinner. A contender is about the whole team. Injuries always play a part on any team. Having a core and solid rotation. Is what makes you a good team. Not easy to keep or maintain that. You need to hit on draft picks.