10 years. 

That’s how long Mike Malone has been coaching the Denver Nuggets. Leading them to an NBA Finals victory in 2023 and an overall record of 471-327. He coached them to eight winning seasons.  

Then, this morning, he was fired. 

After a meeting, the news broke that the Nuggets were letting him go. The word “shock” is an understatement to describe how many Nuggets and NBA fans in general feel about the move. It comes with only three games until the playoffs begin, with Denver battling for the 4-spot in the West. 

Nikola Jokic is still battling with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP, and the Nuggets are still major contenders in the West. Even with Malone gone, Jokic should be able to put the team on his back – but Malone’s firing is still stunning. 

Lots of questions should arise in the coming days about Malone’s firing, and the answers should inevitably be put into the light. The main question on the minds of fans, however, is why? Why would a 10-year, accolade-holding coach be fired out of the blue? 

And why, at the exact same time, would the organization fire their GM? Calvin Booth was let go along with Malone and lead assistant David Adelman will have to step in to be interim head coach of the Nuggets for now. 

More questions, more confusion. The air in Denver is going to take some time to clear and fans await any sort of news surrounding the firings. 

Featured image from @espn on Instagram