DeAndre Jordan responds when asked if Michael Malone would go to collect Denver Nuggets championship ring

DeAndre Jordan speaks out on Denver Nuggets changes

Denver Nuggets veteran DeAndre Jordan has spoken out on the team’s changes, during an interview with Run It Back.

The Nuggets are re-adjusting after head coach Michael Malone was fired with three games remaining at the end of the season.

Malone could technically collect a championship ring if the Nuggets go on to win the title, with the team rallying since his departure.

Jordan was asked whether Malone would want to go and collect an honor, and responded: “Nah they Fed-Ex-ing that thing.”

The 36-year-old has reflected on the coach’s exit, commenting: “It was very surprising, we had a meeting that was called and we were told, it was shocking, but at the end of the day, basketball is not going to stop because of something with our team.

“I love Mo [Malone], we won a championship together, but at the end of the day we got to keep moving, DA’s done a great job.”

Differences with Michael Malone and David Adelman

Michael Malone was known for his critical approach, ruling with an iron fist, unafraid to brutally call out his players.

DeAndre Jordan explains that Adelman has a softer approach, hinting how it is better received within the locker room.

“It’s in a sarcastic way where guys can laugh at their mistakes, it shouldn’t be stressful, it shouldn’t be that hard. I feel like that’s been a great thing for some guys.

“Mo was fantastic at what he did, I just feel like they needed a change.”

Malone had called out the Nuggets players for not caring enough to watch their own film.

But an anecdote shared by DeAndre Jordan suggests the players are buying in under Adelman.

“Over the last two weeks or so, it’s been more of a community, collective conversation, you see guys more engaged in timeouts and in locker rooms, I’m not saying we weren’t doing this before, it’s just more demonstrative now in a good way. Guys are taking the clipboard and seeing things, taking the laptop.

“It’s great to have that cohesiveness and guys talking about their vantage points and what they see.”

DeAndre Jordan defends Russell Westbrook

DeAndre Jordan also defended teammate Russell Westbrook following complaints of tension behind the scenes that Michael Malone was playing him too much.

General manager Calvin Booth, also fired, was claimed to have wanted youngster Jalen Pickett to play more instead.

Jordan believes the claims are unfair to both players: “I think its a little unfair for him to get the blame for that when it’s his first year here, talking about him not playing or playing too much ‘cos of Jalen Pickett,

“It’s a narrative that follows him around, it’s unfair, and it puts that pressure on Jalen Pickett as well, who’s a good young up and coming player.”

Reflecting on Malone and Booth’s firing, he added: “I think it was a mixture of things, that’s something that management decided to do and we got to find a way now.”