Adelman has been named the permanent head coach of the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, officially succeeding Michael Malone, who was fired just days ahead of the NBA playoffs in April. Adelman led the Nuggets through the remainder of the regular season, where they went 3-0, and a playoff series win over Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games.
The Nuggets were one win shy of advancing to the Western Conference Finals, ultimately losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals in seven games. Despite the playoff exit, Nuggets president and governor Josh Kroenke said he was impressed with Adelman’s leadership and the way the team responded to him.
‘We are going to be moving forward with David Adelman as our head coach… for next season and beyond,’ Kroenke announced during his end-of-season media availability. ‘I think the way that the group really rallied around him, and not only a different voice, but a different style of communication was fantastic to see. We are really excited about him, both what he’s shown over the last six weeks and then having a full summer, a full training camp and a full year to get things under his belt before we go back at it again this time next year.’
OPINION: Nuggets should hire David Adelman now. He proved himself with win against Clippers.
Kroenke wasn’t the only one singing Adelman’s praises.
Following the Nuggets playoff exit on May 18, Aaron Gordon said Adelman ‘was excellent for us and I hope that he’s here next year.’ Nikola Jokic said their coach ‘made us believe something and we played good.’ Jamal Murray said Adelman ‘did a great job, considering everything.’ Michael Porter Jr. said he hopes Adelman ‘gets the job.’ Christian Braun added ‘the guys really like him.’
On Thursday, Kroenke added, ‘One thing I am very comfortable with, and hopefully our fan base has seen, is how the players came together and really rallied around our coaches and our coaching staff.’
Adelman previously served as Malone’s assistant since 2017 before he was named the Nuggets’ interim head coach on April 8 after Malone was let go after the Nuggets suffered four consecutive losses.
Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth was also fired alongside Malone. Ben Tenzer has served as the interim general manager, but Kroenke said he ‘wants to take my time a little more’ on naming a permanent GM.
The firings come just two seasons after Malone — who leaves the franchise as its winningest coach — led the Nuggets to their first NBA championship.