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Denver Nuggets: Win or lose Malone isn’t going anywhere

By Jordan Reid

DENVER, CO - MARCH 15: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets talks with media before the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 15: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets talks with media before the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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This Wednesday night the Denver Nuggets essentially play a play-in game against the Timberwolves.

Winner goes to playoffs. It’s win or go home for both teams. Stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams attempt to end playoff droughts.

It was only a couple weeks ago when Nuggets fans thought the season was over. The Nuggets were dropping games to tanking teams and Malone was on the hot seat.

Among fans there’s been a lot of buzz about a Malone firing at the end of the season. It was interesting because Malone seems to have a great relationship with the players. The team has also improved their record in each year that he has been in Denver.

However, as the Nuggets dropped in the standings earlier this year it became apparent that the Nuggets were once again under performing. In this circumstance, a coach is always an easy scapegoat.

And there is validity to Malone’s coaching critiques. He’s shown to have a hot temper in games at times. He has put out some questionable lineups. And of course, he waited way too long to give up on the “Balkan buddy ball” last season. He also has no history as a playoff head coach, so it’s understandable that people would doubt that he’s the coach to get Denver into playoffs.

But just as thins were looking dim for the Malone and his Nuggets, they put together their biggest winning streak of the year. It certainly hasn’t all been Malone. Jokic has been putting up MVP numbers over this stretch. However, Malone has done an excellent job closing out games and getting the most out of his young team.

As the Nuggets have saved their season (game after game), Malone has also saved his job.

Whether the Nuggets beat the Wolves and punch their ticket to playoffs or not, firing Malone wouldn’t make sense now. With one game left, the Nuggets have already won 6 more games than they did last year. Improvement was expected, yes. But they improved this much despite free-agent acquisition Paul Millsap being out for 44 games.

And Malone has helped put together an impressive 6-game win streak against winning teams at the most crucial part of the year. In an interview this season Jamal Murray said about Malone:

“He’s my coach and I hope he’s always my coach”.  

It looks like Jamal Murray will get his wish. For now at least.

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As Denver goes into their final game of the season there’s a lot of unknown. One thing is very likely though- win or lose, Michael Malone isn’t going anywhere.

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