Adelman Steps Up as Nuggets’ Interim Coach Amidst Turbulent Times
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In the world of professional sports, change is often the only constant. This week, the Denver Nuggets found themselves in the midst of a whirlwind, as they made a bold move to shake things up. Following a chaotic 30-plus hours, David Adelman stepped into the spotlight, meeting with reporters for the first time as the team’s interim head coach. His message was clear: despite recent struggles, the Nuggets are still a force to be reckoned with, just two seasons removed from an NBA title.
Adelman took the reins for his first game on Wednesday night in Sacramento, a city with a special connection for him. His father, Rick Adelman, spent eight seasons as head coach there. The Nuggets’ decision to fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday was a stunning move, aimed at halting a four-game losing streak and keeping the team out of the play-in spots in the Western Conference.
As the architect of the Nuggets’ offense, Adelman, alongside Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, addressed the team in the wake of these dismissals. “We are in the mix here, and I think people forget that,” Adelman emphasized. “[Pundits] keep thinking that we didn’t make the playoffs or whatever. We still have a great chance to do something special. We talked about that. The guys seemed convinced. So I’m expecting a really good effort.”
Kroenke’s message to the team was simple: “be better.” Adelman, who has been an assistant for the Nuggets for eight seasons, took a moment to express his gratitude to his predecessor. “What he did for this team, best coach in history,” Adelman said of Malone. “Can’t argue it. Percentage-wise, wins, Finals, championship. The experience he gave me eight years allowing me to grow as a coach … all the guys on this coaching staff that are here, we’ve been together for a long time.”
Despite Malone and Booth’s success in leading the Nuggets to the championship in 2023, ownership decided to part ways with them due to ongoing struggles. Sources revealed a long-standing rift between Malone and Booth, which had grown into a “cold war” over issues like player development in the rotation. Since the All-Star break, the Nuggets were 11-13 entering Wednesday, and ownership felt a change was necessary due to poor vibes and a lack of response from the locker room, particularly on defense.
Key players like Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon have shown visible frustration on the sidelines during recent losses. Injuries have also plagued the team, with Jamal Murray missing his sixth straight game on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, and Gordon dealing with a calf injury this season.
Malone’s tenure in Denver was marked by a record of 471-327 and the franchise’s only NBA championship. Booth, in his first season as GM in 2022-23, made key moves like drafting Christian Braun and trading for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. However, ownership’s decision to make changes was driven by a desire to maximize the remaining potential of this season for Jokic and give the three-time MVP a chance to lead the team to a deep postseason run.
Adelman acknowledged the need for a change in the team’s overall vibe. “I just think our overall vibe,” he said when asked what needs to change. “I think that happens in professional sports.”
Reflecting on his father’s legacy as a Hall of Fame coach, Adelman shared, “It’s funny to be in Sacramento for this and know that my father was here for eight years and to think that thing would never end when it was going and the vibe here was incredible.”
- Adelman emphasized the importance of positive communication and constructive criticism within the team.
- He highlighted the need for the team to rely on each other in a more positive way.
- Adelman expressed his commitment to organizing the team and moving past the recent changes.
After facing the Kings, the Nuggets are set to play the Memphis Grizzlies at home before concluding the regular season against the Houston Rockets. Nuggets ownership hopes that this seismic decision will provide the team with a much-needed boost and give Adelman a chance to prove himself as a head coach, having interviewed for other vacancies last year, including with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Obviously we have some very dangerous pieces on this team,” Adelman said. “So we just got to get there, and it’s going to be a challenge.”
Adelman is determined to keep the ship moving forward, despite the recent upheaval. “Yes, there was a big change. We talked about it and you have to move past it,” he concluded.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
