It’s time to confront an uncomfortable but necessary question about Michael Malone’s role as head coach of the Denver Nuggets. This may be an unpopular stance, especially in a world where any form of criticism is often viewed as a harsh attack, but the question remains: Is Michael Malone the right head coach for the Nuggets?
Yes, he won a championship last season, taking Denver to unprecedented heights. However, this accomplishment alone doesn’t necessarily make him the ideal coach for the team.
Undoubtedly, Malone has achieved feats no other Nuggets head coach has managed, but he’s also had the benefit of coaching a roster that includes a three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic. Neither Doug Moe nor George Karl had such a player at their disposal.
Despite Jokic’s MVP wins in three of the past four seasons, the Nuggets have fallen short in the playoffs, with two second-round exits and one first-round exit during those campaigns. While these losses can partly be attributed to the absence of Jamal Murray, who was injured during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, this explanation misses the bigger picture.
The manner of these defeats was disheartening. The Nuggets were swept by Phoenix, with Jokic getting ejected in Game 4 due to frustration, and they lost in five games to Golden State, offering little resistance. There were no significant adjustments or strategic moves—just a series of defeats where Denver showed up, got beaten, and left without much of a fight.
Fast forward to this season, and the concerns about Malone’s coaching resurfaced during a crucial Game 7 at Ball Arena. Leading 58-38 in the third quarter, the Nuggets blew the largest Game 7 lead in NBA history. Minnesota countered their strategies effectively, neutralizing the Jokic-Murray two-man game while the rest of the team struggled.
Murray and Jokic scored 35 and 34 points, respectively, but no other Nuggets player scored in double digits. Malone, as he has done in the past, blamed the players, suggesting they were “gassed” from the previous season and a grueling schedule. However, this doesn’t address the real issue: the team was confused and lacked direction.
During the game, Michael Porter Jr. had a poor shooting night, but other key players took a shockingly low number of shots. Jokic and Murray combined for 55 shots, while the rest of the team took only 28. The Nuggets’ offense became predictable, and Malone made no significant adjustments as their lead evaporated. He merely barked at officials and showed visible frustration without altering the game plan.
The loss falls squarely on Malone, not on Jokic or Murray. A coach must be held accountable for such collapses. Blowing a 20-point second-half lead at home and suffering a 45-point loss on the road with a series lead are not outcomes that should be tolerated.
Malone’s championship win buys him some grace, but his overall playoff record raises concerns. Apart from the bubble success, he has repeatedly fallen short in the postseason, losing to higher-seeded teams. This pattern suggests he struggles to outcoach opponents in closely matched games.
The Nuggets are at risk of squandering Jokic’s prime. While they won a title, they have not become perennial contenders as they should be. Losing in the Western Conference Finals or NBA Finals is one thing, but exiting in the second round is another.
The critical question remains: Could another coach maximize the potential of a three-time MVP better than Michael Malone? This question needs to be asked and answered for the future of the Nuggets.
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