As the NBA regular season comes to a close and teams begin to solidify their playoff positioning, the Denver Nuggets organization has made a bold and unexpected move. Despite sitting comfortably in fourth place in the highly competitive Western Conference with a respectable 47-32 record, the Nuggets have decided to overhaul their leadership. This decision has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads, but former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes there is more to this move than meets the eye.
Perkins, who has been known for his insightful analysis and bold predictions, recently shared his thoughts on the Nuggets’ decision to fire head coach Michael Malone. In an interview with The Cold Wire, Perkins revealed that he believes the team’s star player, Nikola Jokic, had a hand in this decision.
According to Perkins, Jokic was not happy with Malone’s coaching style and felt that a change was necessary for the team to reach its full potential. While this may come as a surprise to many, Perkins believes that Jokic’s approval played a significant role in the organization’s decision to make a coaching change.
Jokic, who is widely considered one of the best centers in the league, has been the driving force behind the Nuggets’ success this season. His unique skill set and leadership on the court have helped the team secure a spot in the playoffs for the third consecutive year. However, despite their regular season success, the Nuggets have yet to make a deep playoff run, and Jokic is determined to change that.
Perkins also pointed out that Jokic’s relationship with Malone had been strained for some time now. While the two have publicly denied any issues, Perkins believes that there was a lack of trust and communication between the two. Jokic, who is known for his unselfish play and team-first mentality, may have felt that Malone’s coaching style did not align with his own.
The decision to fire Malone may have come as a shock to many, but Perkins believes that it was a necessary move for the Nuggets to take the next step in their journey towards a championship. He also believes that Jokic’s approval of the decision shows his commitment to the team’s success and his desire to bring a championship to Denver.
With the playoffs just around the corner, the Nuggets have named assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. as the interim head coach. Unseld Jr. has been with the team since 2015 and is highly respected by the players and coaching staff. Perkins believes that Unseld Jr. will bring a fresh perspective and a new energy to the team, which could be just what they need to make a deep playoff run.
In conclusion, while the Nuggets’ decision to fire Michael Malone may have come as a surprise to many, Kendrick Perkins believes that there is more to this move than meets the eye. He believes that Jokic’s approval of the decision shows his commitment to the team’s success and his desire to bring a championship to Denver. With the playoffs just around the corner, the Nuggets are hoping that this coaching change will be the missing piece to their championship puzzle. Only time will tell if this bold move will pay off, but one thing is for sure, the Nuggets are not afraid to take risks in their pursuit of greatness.
