For a decade, Michael Malone was the voice of the Denver Nuggets. He was tough when needed, especially during their championship run. He showed empathy when Jamal Murray was injured. He championed Nikola Jokic during his MVP seasons.
But after a recent four-game losing streak, Malone`s sharp assessment of the team hinted at deeper issues. He questioned the team`s unity and individual accountability after a loss to the Pacers.
Malone`s message wasn`t resonating. Weeks prior, a loss to a weakened Trail Blazers team led to public criticism from Malone about the team`s effort and pride.
Team president Josh Kroenke had been considering changes for months, sensing a disconnect.
Despite remaining in playoff contention, the Nuggets displayed internal conflict, evident in viral clips of player disagreements.
A toxic relationship between Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth further destabilized the organization. Staff felt pressured to take sides, diverting focus from team performance. Sources indicate a pervasive sense of misery within the organization, prompting Kroenke to act.
The conflict between Malone and Booth had been damaging for years, masked by wins. However, recent losses exposed these issues.
Kroenke decided to fire both Malone and Booth late Sunday, after considering such a move earlier in the season. An eight-game win streak had temporarily saved their jobs.
Kroenke explained that winning had obscured worrying trends. He consulted with his father and Kevin Demoff before making the final decision.
The firing was revealed to players at a meeting, shocking many who had only known Malone as their coach. The timing, with only three games left, was deliberate, intended to revitalize the team before the playoffs.
The Nuggets aimed to maximize Nikola Jokic`s prime years for multiple championships. Booth focused on developing young players, while Malone preferred retaining veteran players from the championship team.
Malone reportedly resented Booth`s decisions in free agency, suspecting it was a strategy to force younger players into the lineup. This difference in vision caused tension throughout the organization.
Players questioned if team dysfunction influenced playing time, with suggestions that Malone favored players not associated with Booth.
Over time, Malone`s message lost impact with the players, contributing to a decline in team morale and effort.
Malone`s reluctance to heavily utilize young players like Zeke Nnaji raised questions, especially given data suggesting Nnaji`s effectiveness at power forward. Similarly, starting Russell Westbrook over Christian Braun was questioned, despite Braun`s strong performance.
Jokic, while not publicly vocal, was aware of the team`s issues and reportedly unhappy.
Jokic has consistently indicated his commitment to Denver. His agent jokingly mentioned the Lakers as a potential destination on social media, but the Nuggets are focused on capitalizing on Jokic`s prime.
The urgency to contend now, combined with Jokic`s upcoming contract extension eligibility and interim coach David Adelman`s potential candidacy for other coaching jobs, intensified Kroenke`s decision to make changes. Giving Adelman an interim role provides the Nuggets an advantage in potentially retaining him.
Kroenke`s decision to fire both Booth and Malone stemmed from the organizational divide. Removing both leaders was seen as necessary to eliminate factions and force a fresh start. Both were held accountable for allowing personal issues to harm the team.
Booth had been offered a contract extension but didn`t immediately accept. As the season progressed and team performance declined, the offer was no longer available.
The Nuggets have a history of developing executive talent but struggle to retain it, as seen with Masai Ujiri and Tim Connelly. There`s a perception that ownership prioritizes paying players and coaches over front office executives.
Booth, initially successful in assembling a championship roster, did not receive the contract extensions he or his staff expected, contributing to organizational tension. The timing of expiring contracts further heightened the pressure.
After the firings, Kroenke addressed players and coaches, emphasizing the need to improve performance and team unity. He reiterated this message in a subsequent meeting, focusing on restoring fun and effort to the team culture.
During their championship season, the Nuggets had a strong, drama-free culture. However, recent underperformance and internal conflict changed that. Malone`s once effective, candid approach became unproductive amidst losses.
While Malone`s coaching ability wasn`t questioned, his personality and the Booth feud became detrimental. This contrasted sharply with Jokic`s selfless nature.
In their first game after the changes, the Nuggets showed improved communication and engagement, with players taking more initiative. Jokic himself was more vocal and involved. He suggested that the shake-up might “awaken the beast” in the team.
The Nuggets now have a limited time to prove if these changes will be effective.