Can Michael Malone coach the Denver Nuggets to 50 wins?

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on while there's a time out against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA Basketballl game at ORACLE Arena on January 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on while there's a time out against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA Basketballl game at ORACLE Arena on January 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Head coach, Michael Malone, is a controversial figure within the Denver Nuggets’ fan base to say the very least.

The Denver Nuggets have improved their win loss record ever since they hired head coach, Michael Malone, a few seasons back. While Malone is certainly not perfect and I am also guilty of wanting him fired after a few bad games.

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In his first season, Malone coached the team to a win loss record of 33-49 which was three wins better than the year before. The next season saw the team improve to a win loss record of 40-42 which was a massive improvement which went unnoticed due to them still missing the post season.

Then, the team went 46-36 this past season and we all know how that ended. A heartbreaking loss in Minnesota to the Timberwolves which saw them snag the final playoff spot from the Denver Nuggets.

However, based on these improvements, it would not be far fetched to project the team to win 50 games or more this season. This would be the first time they won 50 games or more since the 2013 season when they won a franchise record 57 games in George Karl’s last season as the Nuggets’ head coach.

While the improvements can attributed to the talent the roster now possesses, some credit has to be associated with coach Malone and his ability to harness all this talent to come together in a positive way. The Nuggets are one of the up and coming teams in the Western Conference and Michael Malone has been a consistent figure during their rebuild process.

He is not perfect, but one has to give him credit for sticking it out during this process. It would be counter intuitive to change coaches in the middle of a process which is getting positive results.

Do not be surprised if he coaches this team to a 50 win record.