Remember the 2023 NBA championship in which the Denver Nuggets came out victorious? At the press conference after the final, the head coach, Mike Malone, boldly proclaimed: “We some greedy bastards. And we’re getting another one.”
Now, in 2025, in the thick of an internal power struggle, the Nuggets discuss how to achieve those “greedy” ambitions after one of the most shocking “internal restructurings” in the NBA’s history.
The Nuggets’ management fired both head coach Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday, just days before the NBA playoffs. The management cited concerns about the team’s trajectory and internal tensions.
Inside the Firing of Mike Malone and GM Calvin Booth
While Nuggets’ owner Josh Kroenke remains firm on his decision to fire Mike Malone and Booth, the reasoning remains flimsy and the timing suspicious. Kroenke stated that this is a “necessary step” for the team to remain competitive. He ensured the fans that the “standards of winning a title remain in place.”
The Denver Nuggets are indeed struggling this season. They have lost the last four games, especially to key rivals the Timberwolves and Warriors. However, the Nuggets are still in fourth place in the Western Conference, which gives them a direct ticket to the playoffs, even with three games remaining.
What Could Be The Real Reason?
While declining performance was a major reason, internal power struggles played a key part, too. Malone and Booth had philosophical disagreements over roster decisions and player utilization. As per reports, Mike Malone favored veterans like Russell Westbrook, while Booth placed his bets on the younger players. These ideological differences created a broader sense of dysfunction within the team.
Complaints from star players like Nikola Jokić also played an indirect role. Jokić openly criticized Malone for the mismanagement of the team even before the 2025 season. Mike Malone encountered disapproval for overworking Jokić and mismanaging his minutes in pivotal games. Malone defended his actions as “necessary to protect Jokić’s health.” However, Malone failed to produce any credible results.
The firing might have been controversial, but Malone’s serious disconnect between his coaching style and the team’s needs had to be addressed in one way or the other.
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