Lately, it feels like just about nobody in Nuggets-land is immune to criticism except for Nikola Jokic. You’d think that winning the first NBA championship in franchise history would buy the players, coaches, and front office a grace period, but if anything it almost feels like the opposite has been the case.
Since winning, it seems like the pressure and urgency to win again has almost gone up and everyone is viewed under a closer lens. Jamal Murray has taken the brunt of the criticism, but Calvin Booth, the ownership group, and the supporting cast haven’t been far behind. Everyone wants more from this team and the frustration is, in part, because everyone can see what they are capable of.
CBS calls Michael Malone "middle of the road" coach
But in some cases, the criticism has simply gone too far and that is the case in some recent rankings. Sam Quinn from CBS Sports ranked every coach in the NBA for the 2024-25 season from 1-30 and he buried Michael Malone at 15th on the list in a tier called “middle of the road”.
Since coming to Denver, Malone boldly turned the keys to the offense over to a young and unproven Jokic and created a system to thrive around him. The team outdid their expectations every season including an unlikely run to the Western Conference Finals in 2020 and, of course, a title in 2023.
Even in the years in between, the Nuggets have done a good job of treading water and have largely been derailed by untimely injuries. It’s a players’ league and Jokic deserves the bulk of the credit, but it’s crazy to say Malone isn’t one of the best and most proven coaches in the league.
Instead, Quinn argues that it’s hard to evaluate Malone due to Jokic’s excellence, that he has failed to trust and play young players, and that the field is stacked with good coaches right now. This isn’t totally unreasonable, but some of the names above Malone have no business being there.
Malone confusingly ranked below many lesser coaches
Some names that jump out are Mike Brown (#13), Chris Finch (12), Thom Thibodeau (10), Ime Udoka (8), Will Hardy (7), Steve Kerr (4), and Nick Nurse (2). I mean no disrespect to any of these guys, but respectfully, give me a damn break.
Brown seems like a good guy and a solid coach, but how about winning a playoff series in Sacramento? Finch had a great run last year, but the team crumbled in the conference finals and has he really proven himself in the way that Malone has?
Thibs is a great regular season coach but he’s notorious for going too hard in the regular season and burning his players out by the playoffs. Talk about not trusting young players! Udoka…? He got a good Celtics team to the Finals, got unceremoniously fired, and missed the play-in tournament in his first year in Houston.
I love Will Hardy, but he’s been a coach for two years and hasn’t come close to sniffing the play-in. Kerr has essentially rolled the balls out for his incredibly stacked roster; his last few years haven’t exactly been inspiring - Warriors and Team USA fans can relate.
And Nick Nurse at number 2? He won a title in 2019 because Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson got injured. His offenses have been suspect and he plays his starters way too many minutes. He’s clearly a great coach but he hasn’t won a playoff series since the bubble.
Sorry for the quick roast session, but why is Malone held to a higher standard than any of these guys? They are all either being elevated based on potential or long-past achievements. Malone has won a title more recently than any of these guys (many of whom have proven absolutely nothing) and he seems to be the only one punished for having a great player at his disposal.
Malone has taken a second-round pick and a bunch of non-all-stars and led a championship team. Those are the facts. I’m not claiming he’s the best coach in the league or he doesn’t have his flaws, but his placement on the list is downright disrespectful.