Nuggets shouldn’t consider firing Malone

The Denver Nuggets are sitting on the doorstep of elimination, but shouldn’t consider parting ways with Michael Malone.

It has been a long, slow rebuild for the Denver Nuggets. Ever since Carmelo Anthony forced his way out of town, the team has slowly been retooling and shaping itself up for the draft year after year. The last three years have been strong for the Nuggets and 2020, despite all its challenges between the pandemic and league-wide boycotts, has also been a productive year for the young team.

However, it is no question that the Nuggets have struggled quite a bit with the Utah Jazz, and their first round performance to this point has left a lot to be desired. Some rumblings of the team considering replacing Malone began to percolate particularly after the loss in game four to fall behind three games to one.

Making such a move would set the Nuggets back dramatically. They have clearly rallied around their coach and have for the most part responded to him each and every game. Game three against Utah was concerning in that the Nuggets appeared to take the floor completely disinterested and had almost no answers for a red-hot Utah offense.

Not every team is going to be able to suddenly transition from Dwane Casey to Nick Nurse. There are only a handful of elite coaches in the NBA, and Malone consistently cracks the upper echelon. His Nuggets have increased their win total all four years under his stewardship, and the development of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Will Barton and others can be attributed to him.

The Nuggets need to do some retooling to their roster and need a little bit more luck before they decide to make a change at head coach. It would be too reactionary a move to move on from Malone. Should he be on a bit of a shorter leash? Perhaps. Otherwise he should remain in Denver.