Nuggets Fire Michael Malone, Elevate David Adelman To Interim Head Coach

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 5:31 pm

The Denver Nuggets have fired Michael Malone and elevated David Adelman as interim head coach.

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

ontnut · Post #2 » by **ontnut** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 5:34 pm

Wow, wtf is going on with these teams firing coaches right before the playoffs? Unprecedented.

IliketheBullsNBearstoo · Post #3 » by **IliketheBullsNBearstoo** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 5:35 pm

This makes no sense.

Billl · Post #4 » by **Billl** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 5:36 pm

Wow. Haven't been watching their recent games, but this seems like an absolute scapegoat move unless he did something really unprofessional.

Jondiggs · Post #5 » by **Jondiggs** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 5:56 pm

Denver told Memphis “hold my beer” lol

Ayuandmi · Post #6 » by **Ayuandmi** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:02 pm

Makes zero sense. Feel bad for nuggets fans

hyberx · Post #7 » by **hyberx** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:15 pm

That's the new NBA trend now. Reaching the final? Quick, trade your best player Luka! Winning? Quick, fire your head coaches! :lol:

Pickled Prunes · Post #8 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:17 pm

POR needs to fire Billups and hire Malone in the next 9 minutes!

TimeisIllmatic · Post #9 » by **TimeisIllmatic** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:20 pm

Malone to Memphis now?

Hans1984 · Post #10 » by **Hans1984** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:27 pm

I guess all these team owners watched their stocks crash and are trying to save some money. Another ridiculous coach firing. :nonono:

beefman · Post #11 » by **beefman** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:13 pm

IliketheBullsNBearstoo wrote:This makes no sense.

I don't see how it doesn't. if you know or decided he's not the right coach or need to make a change, you do it. why wait?

RipCityKJ · Post #12 » by **RipCityKJ** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:32 pm

Pickled Prunes wrote:POR needs to fire Billups and hire Malone in the next 9 minutes!

This needs to happen yesterday! If they extend Billups it will keep the blazers in mediocracy for years.

jozef · Post #13 » by **jozef** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:47 pm

Absolutely unprofessional decision. 4 games ahead of playoffs. Unbelievable.

AdamSSSlither · Post #14 » by **AdamSSSlither** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:55 pm

lost 4 games and got fired? this is ridiculous.
is it malones fault westbrook fouled a 3pt shooter to lose in overtime to wolves??
is it malones fault every starter from double overtime game the night before had to rest or was injured?
is it malones fault jalen picket threw the ball away then jokic threw the ball away on last 2 possession of pacers game?

front office is saying "it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now""

what???

BigTex · Post #15 » by **BigTex** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:57 pm

ontnut wrote:Wow, wtf is going on with these teams firing coaches right before the playoffs? Unprecedented.

I think that they might be afraid that his team will make a good playoff run and they take less heat for firing him now. A long and sucessful run in the playoffs makes firing him look even worse. And for the record, I think it looks pretty bad now.

BigTex · Post #16 » by **BigTex** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:58 pm

Pickled Prunes wrote:POR needs to fire Billups and hire Malone in the next 9 minutes!

I'm not sure that Malone would fall for that. He's going to pretty much have his pick of any jobs that come up this year, or next (if he's inclinded to take a year off and recharge his batteries. I think he can do better than Portland.

Alex_84 · Post #17 » by **Alex_84** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 8:14 pm

beefman wrote:
IliketheBullsNBearstoo wrote:This makes no sense.

I don't see how it doesn't. if you know or decided he's not the right coach or need to make a change, you do it. why wait?

Because it's 3 games untill playoffs and your assist coach can't and won't do anything good. That's not how "shock therapy" works.

Alex_84 · Post #18 » by **Alex_84** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 8:16 pm

BigTex wrote:
ontnut wrote:Wow, wtf is going on with these teams firing coaches right before the playoffs? Unprecedented.

I think that they might be afraid that his team will make a good playoff run and they take less heat for firing him now. A long and sucessful run in the playoffs makes firing him look even worse. And for the record, I think it looks pretty bad now.

But isn't the good playoff run the entire point? If Malone does that, why would you hire another coach?

Pretty sure Den CEO doesn't actually believe the assistant would do the work.

Rebound Mound · Post #19 » by **Rebound Mound** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 8:51 pm

Both Malone and Calvin Booth are to be given a statue outside the arena, as it is already two seasons losing key starters and replacing them with veterans, youths and players that should not be playing in the NBA.
Malone has done wonders with the likes of NNaji, Watson, Braun, Westbrook, Strauther, Jordan, etc.
He did not have a decent starting five to begin with when Caldwell-Pope left due to the people making the decisions decided not to give him a contract...

Pickled Prunes · Post #20 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 9:12 pm

BigTex wrote:
Pickled Prunes wrote:POR needs to fire Billups and hire Malone in the next 9 minutes!

I'm not sure that Malone would fall for that. He's going to pretty much have his pick of any jobs that come up this year, or next (if he's inclinded to take a year off and recharge his batteries. I think he can do better than Portland.

Well POR, a team at the tail end of a rebuild, is a half-game behind PHX, a team that was supposed to be a contender. POR has a lot of talent and a terrible coach... but you are correct that Malone would more than likely turn it down.