The Curious Firing of Mike Malone

How many head coaches usually get fired before a pro sports season 
concludes? In what universe would any had thought former Denver 
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone be out a week before the NBA 
postseason starts? Welcome to what I'd like to refer as "really?" How 
did we get here far as Malone being ousted along with general manager 
Calvin Booth?

Just two seasons ago, Denver had reached the mountain top and won 
their first NBA championship. All the hype surrounding this team and 
chasing a repeat the following season. A franchise who became more 
than just a laughing stock. It was title contender with a great roster built 
around superstar Nikola Jokic. Brick by brick and player, Denver had a 
strong foundation. Drafting very well and competing paid off; even in a 
stacked western conference.

All-star point guard Jamaal Murray, who went through a serious knee 
injury was an afterthought. It was Malone who built his confidence back 
up and giving him a chance to become the player Denver drafted out of 
Kentucky. Adding players like KCP, Bruce Brown, Christian Braun, 
Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, and guys who bought into winning a 
championship. Yes, winning comes with sacrificing and paying higher 
prices. Internal conflicts started to brew after the 2024 postseason, 
where Malone and the front office didn't see eye to eye. After signing 
free agent point guard Russell Westbrook, it became "how was this 
going to mesh with a team who's trying to stay atop?" 

I'm glad you asked because the writing was on the wall then and came 
to fruition slowly but surely. Icing on the cake was Denver losing to 
Minnesota last week in double overtime. Jokic's 61 point triple double 

was astonishing... But, Westbrook was the bigger story as he took an 
unnecessary layup and missed it. Having the lead with mere seconds 
and what went through his mind, nobody knows except Westbrook. 

Missing the layup, fouling a three point shooter; costing Denver a 
headache of misery. Malone defended Westbrook's decision and the 
body language was very subtle. Any smart human being could tell 
Malone was ready to break anything in sight. Yes, this was a coach 
defending a player for the wrong reasons. Any other coach would've 
broken the clipboard and walked out. 
Sadly, this brings into question the team's morale with a handful of 
games left to go. From sitting in second place in the western conference 
to now possibly a play-in team, Denver's collapse couldn't have 
occurred at the wrong time. Was there internal tension with Malone and 
players? Westbrook being forced out there in rotations and taking away 
role players minutes? Could the front office factored into the decision? 

What's Jokic's motivation besides collecting triple-doubles and winning 
MVPs? We see him dominate but it feels like he's just there to help win 
games. He's more concerned with riding his horses back home in 
Serbia versus competing for more than one title. Can he have enough 
motivation to be a louder voice they need moving forward? 

Will we see players traded this summer and rebuild around Jokic? 
Whoever the new general manager ends up being and hiring whoever is 
qualified will need to re-galvanize this team. This team only gets juiced 
up to play the Lakers and remind everyone "they're the Lakers daddy." A 
moniker Malone used during the championship parade in 2023. 

The timing seems confusing and suspect considering this losing skid. 
Most coaches get to finish the season and let the front office re-evaluate 
what's next. Denver has shown their incompetence and it circles back to 

the 2024 playoffs versus Minnesota when they had a 3-2 lead and lost 
the next two games including a game seven at home. If they didn't have 
any intentions of keeping Malone, it could've been resolved then. 

Mike Malone joins the short list of coaches who've won championships 
and fired within two seasons afterwards:

2019: Nick Nurse- Toronto Raptors
2020: Frank Vogel- Los Angeles Lakers
2021: Mike Budenholzer- Milwaukee Bucks
2023: Mike Malone- Denver Nuggets

Malone is too good of a coach who won't stay on the market very long.
With multiple teams looking for a man who can build a strong culture,
he's the right guy. Championship head coach and his record speaks for
itself. Either way, Denver is rolling the dice this firing will save what's left
for 2025.