Maybe, just maybe, Michael Malone actually wasn't the problem in Denver.
Looking for a "fresh start" just three games before the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets fired Malone in a move that shocked the entire league. The Nuggets went on to lose in the Western Conference Semifinals and elected to keep David Adelman at the helm for the 2025-2026 season.
Even after adding some key reinforcements during the offseason (including former Tar Heel Cam Johnson), the Nuggets went into the new season with very high expectations. However, that came to a screeching halt on Thursday night, as the franchise suffered an embarassing series loss that should have heads rolling throughout the organization.
Michael Malone has officially been vindicated
The Nuggets' postseason run ended much shorter than they hoped, as they suffered a series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games.
What makes it even worse is this: Denver lost Game 6 while Minnesota didn't have star guard Anthony Edwards!
Now, let's not take away anything from Minnesota; they have a good squad. However, this group is much, much better with Edwards, one of the best players in the entire league, on the court.
There is no reason why Denver couldn't take care of business against the short-handed Timberwolves.
Fans are quick to revolt on social media (as they should) following a series loss like this one, as many fans have been posting old clips of Malone speaking to the media following tough losses. It seems like the fan base knows that the team played much tougher under Malone's watch than they have since the franchise decided to part ways with him.
The Denver Nuggets stopped being a contender when they fired Coach Malone. Jokic started playing soft ever since he left😂 pic.twitter.com/GD3PaSARBo
— PlayboySwervo (@playboyswervo) May 1, 2026
Of course, Malone is now the head coach of the UNC basketball program, and Tar Heel fans are excited to see the intensity, toughness and grit he challenges his teams to play with. As for the Nuggets, a long offseason is ahead for the franchise, including with regard to their star player Nikola Jokic.
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