Can the Denver Nuggets still make a serious run for the title after parting ways with the only NBA coach Nikola Jokic has ever known? That’s the question swirling around after the franchise suddenly dismissed head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, ownership was behind the decision. And with the playoffs knocking at the door, the timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Now, amid all the chaos, even though Shaquille O’Neal is concerned about the way things ended with Malone, he and Vince Carter haven’t hit the panic button just yet for the Nuggets. They’re holding onto a key reason for optimism.
The conversation took center stage on a recent Pregame Show episode, where the cast dove into the Malone situation. “I would have liked it to be done a little more professional. The winningest coach in Denver won a championship. They still fall in the form of possibly winning another championship. Despite what’s going on, you wanna have some type of home court advantage,” the 4x NBA champ said. Then came the reminder only Shaquille O’Neal could deliver: a bumpy ride doesn’t mean the destination changes.
“My first one was smooth… Second was not smooth… Third one was rough. The fourth one, we lost to Detroit, went and got another one in Miami. That was not smooth,” Shaq added, underlining that success rarely comes without a few twists. Vince Carter later added his voice, backing the Nuggets despite the heavy pressure now resting on interim coach Adleman.
“You’re putting the pressure on now your new coach, Adleman, to go into the playoffs with a team that is very capable with home court advantage right now to win. Because it’s not like we’re in this eight seed, seven seed, and whatever. We’re in the four seed,” Carter said.
Well, it turns out that the team’s vision, too, despite these drastic measures, remains to win the championship. Team vice chairman Josh Kroenke made that clear in a Tuesday statement, saying the decision “was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully.” His words made one thing obvious: this shakeup was designed to maximize Denver’s shot at the 2025 championship.
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So, what really led to this high-stakes switch? Reports suggest friction between Malone and Booth lingered all season, especially over player decisions. Insider Shams Charania reported that ownership felt the writing was on the wall for a disappointing end, and this bold move might be just what’s needed to light a fire under the squad heading into the postseason.
However, there seem to be no hard feelings from the franchise despite the recent drastic measures.
Denver Nuggets send a parting message to Michael Malone
Coaching journeys in the NBA rarely come without bumps, and Michael Malone’s path was no different. Remember his time with the Sacramento Kings? Back in the 2014-2015 season, despite the team sitting at 11-13, Malone was let go mid-season. It was a tough break, but little did anyone know what was coming next.
Fast forward to 2015, when Malone took the reins in Denver. Since then, he’s become a key figure in the Nuggets’ rise—most memorably guiding them to their first-ever NBA championship in 2023. He even earned the honor of coaching the NBA All-Star Game twice, in 2019 and again during that historic 2023 season.
So, it’s only fitting that the Nuggets paid tribute to him on X, saying, “Coach, thank you for your dedication… Your impact on this team and city will not be forgotten.” And what a legacy he leaves—turning Denver into the league’s third-best offensive squad, with Jokic posting jaw-dropping numbers: 30 points, 12.8 boards, and 10.2 assists per game. Now it’s to be seen if the Nuggets can win it all from their current standpoint, as Shaquille O’Neal and Vince Carter still believe there to be a possibility.
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