Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke recently explained the rationale behind the surprising dismissals of former head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.
Kroenke first thanked Malone and Booth for their contributions to the team, including the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023. He admitted that firing Malone and Booth was “tough” considering the timing of the decision.
“They brought us our first championship, helped establish a new culture, new standards that will continue to move on into the future. To be frank, neither of them deserved it. And for that, I apologize,” Kroenke said in a press conference.
“For my position as a leader of the organization, I needed to be better at different points in time. I could see certain trends behind the scenes with the group, and those were worrisome,” he continued. “But when you have an incredibly talented roster that we have, an incredibly solid group across the board of people, you’re able to play through some of that. So, ultimately, I made the decision that I did last week with the hope of rejuvenating the energy of the group, and re-establishing some positive thoughts before the playoffs, and some belief.”
Denver Nuggets in positive form ahead of the playoffs
The Denver Nuggets will have homecourt advantage in the first round of the 2025 postseason after notching a 50-32 record. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers, who secured the fifth seed after beating the Golden State Warriors in overtime last Sunday.
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David Adelman is unbeaten in his first three games as the Denver Nuggets interim head coach. Meanwhile, the team recently installed Ben Tenzer as the team’s interim general manager.
President Josh Kroenke is expected to search for Michael Malone and Calvin Booth’s permanent replacements at the end of the campaign.
