Now Reading: Nuggets hearth coach Michael Malone, GM Calvin Sales space with three video games left earlier than playoffs
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Nuggets hearth coach Michael Malone, GM Calvin Sales space with three video games left earlier than playoffs
Nuggets hearth coach Michael Malone, GM Calvin Sales space with three video games left earlier than playoffs
The Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and normal supervisor Calvin Sales space, the group introduced Tuesday. The strikes include the Nuggets sitting in fourth place within the Western Convention with simply three video games left within the common season.
They’re beautiful choices contemplating the Nuggets are 47-32 and in the course of a decent playoff race. Malone’s firing additionally comes simply two years after he led the group to a championship. Assistant David Adelman will take over because the group’s interim head coach with Malone out, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, who initially reported the information.
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Crew vice chairman Josh Kroenke confirmed the firing in a press release Tuesday, saying it “was not made calmly and was evaluated very rigorously.” Kroenke added that the transfer was made to present the Nuggets the “greatest probability at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship.”
The transfer ties an NBA report for the newest teaching change in league historical past, per Charania. Hubie Brown was fired by the Atlanta Hawks with simply three video games left within the common season. The Hawks had been 31-48 on the time of Brown’s firing.
Malone and Sales space reportedly had been at odds all through the season, disagreeing over personnel choices, amongst different issues.
Whereas the Nuggets have not carried out as effectively in comparison with final season, when the group went 57-25 and completed second within the Western Convention, Denver did not fully collapse in 2024-25. The group has but to clinch a playoff spot, however sits in sturdy place with just a few video games left within the common season. With their playoff spot on the road, nevertheless, the Nuggets are on a four-game dropping streak. Adelman might be tasked with turning that round, and getting the group to play its greatest ball within the postseason.
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It helps that Adelman has Nikola Jokic, arguably the very best participant within the sport. Regardless of that, the Nuggets have struggled to place efficient items round Jokic this season. The group has additionally seen its protection slip significantly. Denver is permitting 117.1 factors per sport to opponents, one of many worst marks within the NBA.
Malone’s tenure might have ended abruptly, but it surely’s arduous to argue along with his success in Denver. In 10 seasons with the Nuggets, Malone, 53, posted a 471-327 report, good for a .590 profitable proportion. The Nuggets reached the playoffs six instances below Malone, profitable the NBA championship in 2023.
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Previous to becoming a member of the Nuggets, Malone spent two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, the place he had a .368 profitable proportion. Given his age and success in Denver, Malone ought to draw consideration from various groups on the lookout for a brand new coach within the offseason.
Sales space joined the Nuggets in 2020. His tenure with draft picks has been spotty, with solely Christian Braun creating right into a starter with Denver. The group traded for DaRon Holmes II in the course of the 2024 NBA Draft, however he tore his Achilles days later and has not performed his complete rookie season with the group.
Adelman, son of former NBA participant and coach Rick Adelman, acquired his teaching begin with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier than heading to the Orlando Magic for one season. He joined the Nuggets for the 2017-18 NBA season, and has been an assistant with the group since then.
Whereas Adelman has served in assistant roles over his teaching profession, Wednesday will mark the primary time he is served as a head coach throughout an NBA sport.
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