Everyone was shocked when Josh Kroenke abruptly fired Mike Malone with just three games remaining in the regular season. With the playoffs right around the corner, David Adelman was handed the massive responsibility to lead the Nuggets as their interim head coach. Despite the obvious pressure, Adelman held his nerves and is now just a win away from making it to the West Finals. But NBA skills trainer Chris Johnson claims its Nikola Jokic who deserves the actual credit for his role in leading the Denver team to this stage.
After witnessing the Nuggets function closely, Johnson made a bold claim during a recent podcast, “I didn’t realize they had a better coach.” When asked if he was talking about Jokic, he immediately replied, “You better damn believe it. Jokic is coaching the s— out of that team.” Yes, since Malone’s firing, Jokic has been far more animated than usual during games and especially on the bench. On several occasions, he has been seen motivating his teammates and even drawing up plays during pressure situations. So, is he the one truly coaching the Nuggets?
Well, Dwyane Wade, who was also on the podcast did not like Johnson taking credit away from Adelman and his staff, “Hey man, don’t disrespect the coach on that sideline and that coaching staff. What do you mean Jokic is coaching that team?” But the NBA trainer stood his ground, “Jokic is coaching that team. Jokic is able to move the pieces on the board and he’s in live motion. And he’s actually showing that a player could coach a team if he’s high IQ. Because the adjustments are made between him, Murray and AG. And I’m watching him in full game mode. ‘You go there, pass the ball back. He get to a spot.’ They’re picking the teams apart. And I like that because it shows that you don’t really need someone to over coach. The players are that important.” Obviously, this claim puts Adelman in a tough spot ahead of Sunday’s Game 7 against Thunder.
NBA Skills Trainer Chris Johnson says Nikola Jokic is the one coaching the Nuggets to success right now.
“Jokic is coaching that team!” pic.twitter.com/r5XRUByta9
— Wy Network (@wynetwork) May 16, 2025
(Developing Story)
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