Shams: Nuggets Fire Malone

[Who]

Ah, Rick Adelman's son is taking over on an interim basis. David Adelman. I remember him starting out under his dad back in Minnesota.

His dad ran a beautiful offense.

[liam]

Two terrible last minute coaching firings... Weird!

[Phantom255x]

Yes it's insane, but in theory OKC could probably trade 3-4 players (to get close to salary) and a TON of their future picks to land Jokic. SGA and Jokic. Game over for the league.

I do agree, Houston and OKC probably have the best possible package to offer in a trade.

And yeah, I do think Jokic won't be in Denver beyond 2026. Maybe he asks out this offseason, or they trade him the following year, but he can't be happy and the only way I see it getting better is if DEN makes a deep run this year (WCF at minimum)

[ozgod]

Assuming the decisions with Jenkins and Malone were both done on a rational basis, the powers in charge clearly decided that the disruption to their playoff pushes was worth enduring to get rid of something that was clearly negatively impacting their organization and culture. Maybe even not just on the court but off the court as well. And maybe both teams feel they are not really contenders anyway, so why not let the caretakers have a go in a playoff environment without a lot of expectations and see how they do, rather than waiting for the offseason and then having to wait the first few months of next season to find that out. If they're not up for it then they can cross those names off their list after they get eliminated. If they make a deep run, then it's just a bonus.

[SparzWizard]

Ironic about Malone's firing after he was taking jabs at the Kings owner about canning Mike Brown earlier this year.

Are Eric Spoelstra and Gregg Popovich the only safe coaches who won't get fired?

[Phantom255x]

Lowkey maybe the Wolves should fire their HC lol. Team regressed from last season and today lost the game due to a 34-3 run they let up. Potentially making them fall into play-in range again

[scaryjerry]

I wonder if Jokic asks for a trade in the offseason. He does not seem to be the type to ask out, but never say never in the NBA.

Don?t understand this thought process that now Jokic is going to want out or be available?.wouldn?t you think he was asked and okay about this move? He?s won 3 MVPs and a title in Denver?not sure why he?d leave?

[Who]

The tension between Michael Malone and Calvin Booth arose from Booth wanting Malone to play younger players he drafted instead of the veterans on the roster.

Booth was reportedly "dismayed" that Malone played Russell Westbrook over Jalen Pickett down the stretch of recent games.

Malone and Booth had been at odds over everything from roster construction to the way players were used, creating tension that started to bleed into the rest of the organization.

I don't blame Malone for being made at Booth over roster construction. Malone was right.

Since reeling off nine consecutive wins from Jan. 31 to Feb. 20, the team is just 10-13.

[Roy H.]

That's an interesting strategy by ownership.  You've got a very good coach, and a GM with a mixed bag.  They're in conflict.  Who do you choose?  Neither.  Fire them both.

[Donoghus]

That's an interesting strategy by ownership.  You've got a very good coach, and a GM with a mixed bag.  They're in conflict.  Who do you choose?  Neither.  Fire them both.

As a wise man once said "That's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for them."

[SparzWizard]

So exactly why is the GM getting his hands in the coaching part of the role when he can't even execute his own role properly by signing decent players in the off-season or shoring up the roster with players or giving max contracts to guys like MPJ lol he's funny.

But dang, owner just off'ed both of them. Very cold and cut-throat. What an interesting way to terminate the coach with the 4th seed with 4 games to go.

[Who]

My 2 cents:

- it is a fact that, over the last 5 years, basically no lineup worked when Jokic was not on the floor. This for me has always been a red flag on Malone's coaching and ability to prepare his team. Jokic can mask a lot of problems

- there have also has been a few cases of players, in particular backup bigs, that found no opportunity with Malone, but had some success elsewhere (Hartenstein is the most obvious one)
- all players were looking awful without Jokic, and this impact in particular those guys, often young, not sharing minutes with him. I could see them in absolutely wretched lineups, killing their confidence

- I did like Booth idea, in theory. I think Jokic alone creates an environment extremely favorable for developing young guys, at least offensively. He can mask their weaknesses and put them in the best spots to succeed. I like the idea of creating a base for sustained success rather than this BS "all in" talk, that leads to a wasteland in the middle of a generational superstar prime (see Bucks and Giannis)

- But you can't implement something like this if the coach is not on board. In particular a coach that has more organizational capital than you. You can have a great vision, but Booth has shown no leadership and people skills to execute it

- According to all accounts, both Malone and Booth have been incredibly unprofessional, putting their ego and personal beef over the good of the team. It affected the on court play and that's why both had to go. I am not a kid, I have 20 years of management experience in MNCs and I have seen this multiple times. There are smart people who just don't know how to be team players, they focus on their personal beef and they end up damaging the whole organization. It was very obvious to *me*, from the outside, what was happening. From Malone rotations, to Booth personnel decisions, to how both acted on the media. And if it was obvious to me, I can't fathom how toxic it was inside.

- When I talk about decisions, look at how Malone managed Nnaji or PIckett, while complaining all the time. Or how Booth sent away Justin Holiday to force Malone to play the young guys. You don't do this stuff to make your peer look bad and prove a point, this is not how successful organizations work

- Once you, as the owner, see this, both mut go. It's not about who could have been right or wrong. You proved you lacked the maturity to be given the responsibility of managing Nikola Jokic's prime

[celticsclay]

I wonder if Jokic asks for a trade in the offseason. He does not seem to be the type to ask out, but never say never in the NBA.

Don?t understand this thought process that now Jokic is going to want out or be available?.wouldn?t you think he was asked and okay about this move? He?s won 3 MVPs and a title in Denver?not sure why he?d leave?

As someone that lives in Denver, this just seems like fan fiction/made up rumors to generate clicks and discussions. From everything that has ever been reported Jokic really likes living in Denver (I do too, it is a pretty great place to live). When he was asked about playing with Luka a few years ago in Dallas, he said if Luka wants he can try to come here. You also have a guy that loves horses, horse racing and spending time on a horse farm. That isn't exactly an LA lifestyle as many Lakers fans have dreamed up. In today's NBA you certainly can't rule out anything, but for the time being this Jokic demanding a trade or getting traded is not based on any actual information.

[Who]

Nikola Jokic on the Nuggets firing Michael Malone and Calvin Booth:

"I knew a little bit before everybody.

And (Josh Kroenke) told me, "We made a decision." So it was not a discussion. It was a decision, and he told me why. So I listened and I accept it."