© Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn
The Denver Nuggets, who are just two years removed from winning an NBA Championships, made the stunning decision to part ways with head coach Mike Malone on Tuesday. Denver currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with the playoffs right around the corner and many fans believed they’d yet again contend for a championship.
But as it turns out, things were a little more shaky behind the scenes than fans were led to believe. In addition to firing Malone, the Nuggets also fired general manager Calvin Booth after the two reportedly clashed over several decisions, including Malone’s propensity to play controversial star Russell Westbrook over 25-year-old backup point guard Jalen Pickett.
“Russell Westbrook might have been the biggest lightning rod,” Sam Amick and Tony Jones of The Athletic report. “On one hand, Westbrook has largely been productive this season and has provided some energy on the floor to a team that needed it … But the Westbrook experience has turned erratic lately, as his play on the floor has tailed off. The fact that Pickett has emerged recently with his ability to make shots and provide a calming presence on the floor, has provided a significant contrast to Westbrook’s style of play.”
Westbrook’s miscues and the team’s struggles reportedly angered superstar Nikola Jokic. Amick and Jones report that Jokic’s frustrations grew to the point where the organization was concerned about keeping the three-time NBA MVP.
“That dynamic intensified recently, starting with Westbrook’s meltdown against Minnesota on April 1 in which his late-game blunders cost Denver the win and spoiled Jokić’s 60-point triple-double,” the report states.
Of the last six coaches Westbrook has played for, only Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers remains in the NBA. Malone defended the nine-time NBA All-Star on several occasions. So it was seemingly his choice to go down with the ship. But it definitely sends a message to any coaches who may have considered signing Westbrook in the years to come.