Michael Malone had the reigns of the franchise for 10 years, and they had a winning record in 8 of them. Not to forget the championship celebration in 2023. Despite being less than 2 years from that achievement, the franchise fired their winningest head coach. The drastic decision from the Denver Nuggets did not sit right with former players like Reggie Miller and Matt Barnes. With the real reason not known yet, the former NBA stars blamed increased ‘player power’ as the apparent reason.
It was the Pacers legend who took to Instagram to share his dismay. “The INMATES are officially running the asylum .” With just 3 games left in the regular season and two weeks away from the playoffs, the Nuggets took this step. As soon as the news dropped, Malone’s previous criticism of the squad emerged. Where he questioned his players’ lack of effort and their inability to listen to criticism. Obviously, the reports also started circulating about players being unhappy with the head coach.
Matt Barnes was shooting his new episode for his podcast when the news dropped. “The players run the league now. There used to be a line of respect for coaches, and it was the coach’s way or the highway. When I came to the league in the early 2000s, now it’s the player’s way or the highway.” The former NBA champion explained that players have more now, so more likely than not, the coach will be the “scapegoat”.
“It’s going to be the scapegoat because the players are making too much money.” Does Barnes’ statement have any truth? Chris Broussard’s report might clear the air. “Michael Malone not being as hard on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray reportedly rubbed some Nuggets players the wrong way.” Since the team had gone 11-13 since the All-Star break, the front office felt the team needed an overall.
According to Ohm Youngmisuk, the Nuggets’ ownership is hoping that the firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth will give the team a ‘jolt’ to make a run in the playoffs. Yet, with two weeks away from playoffs, the change this late in the season did not sit right with many.
Apart from Reggie Miller and Matt Barnes, another former champion bat for Michael Malone
“It’s part of what motivates me, but I wake up every day saying this could be my last day.” Joe Mazulla, the Boston Celtics head coach, shared his take on the surprising news of the Nuggets firing their head coach. Currently, the Denver team is the fourth seed and a game and a half back from the third seed, but their coach is gone. This is why ESPN analyst Paul Pierce criticized the players for not playing their part.
“Players get their feelings hurt in this generation. ‘Oh, I don’t like him. Then he’s talking bad to me.’ Man, get on the line.” On First Take, the former Celtics champion shared his take. “It don’t matter. Get over your feelings. He’s a successful coach who’s brought you to the mountaintop, and now people’s feelings get hurt, and now he’s out of there. That’s what it is. ”
The Nuggets’ head coach had an overall (510-394) record. This season, despite the constant injury problem, the team currently is at 47-32, they are only a half-game ahead of teams tied at fifth. Only time will tell if the firings add any positive jolts to the players. Or, as Matt Barnes, Miller, and Pierce stated, the players first have to take some accountability.
The post Suspecting True Motive Behind Mike Malone Firing, Matt Barnes, Reggie Miller & More Reacts to Nuggets Move appeared first on EssentiallySports.