The NBA world was left reeling this week as an sudden teaching change shook one of many league’s high contenders.
The Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone regardless of sitting comfortably in fourth place within the Western Convention with solely three video games remaining within the common season.
The beautiful choice comes because the workforce appeared poised for one more deep playoff run following their championship run a few years in the past.
NBA insider Brett Siegel wasted no time connecting Malone to what may very well be his subsequent alternative, suggesting a possible touchdown spot that makes basketball sense on a number of ranges.
“Maintain an in depth eye on Michael Malone being Gregg Popovich’s successor in San Antonio,” Siegel shared.
Maintain an in depth eye on Michael Malone being Gregg Popovich’s successor in San Antonio.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 8, 2025
Whereas Gregg Popovich has missed important time this season resulting from well being points, he’s beforehand indicated his want to proceed teaching the San Antonio Spurs.
However, the potential of Malone ultimately taking the reins has generated appreciable buzz inside basketball circles.
The connection appears pure given Malone’s confirmed success growing Nikola Jokić, a uniquely expert huge man with passing wizardry and courtroom imaginative and prescient.
These expertise mirror facets of Victor Wembanyama’s sport, making Malone doubtlessly the proper mentor to nurture the Spurs’ generational expertise.
The timing of Malone’s dismissal stays puzzling to many observers.
Coaches with championship pedigrees hardly ever discover themselves unemployed on the eve of the playoffs.
Sources recommend a rising philosophical divide between Malone and the entrance workplace finally compelled possession’s hand.
Josh Kroenke, relatively than selecting sides within the dispute, opted for a clear break.
The Denver Nuggets will now navigate the playoff gauntlet with interim management whereas nonetheless anchored by three-time MVP Jokić.
Because the mud settles on this surprising growth, will Malone discover himself courtside in San Antonio subsequent season?
Can the Nuggets overcome this late-season dilemma? The approaching weeks promise solutions to those urgent questions.
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