Nikola Jokic Defends Coach David Adelman After Nuggets’ Round 1 Loss to Wolves

The Nuggets’ overall shooting percentage was better than the Timberwolves’. They shot 37 percent from the 3-point line, compared to Minnesota’s 24 percent. They also converted 80 percent of their free throws compared to Minnesota’s 71 percent. 

To Jokic’s point, the Timberwolves won the game on the glass, heavily out-rebounding the guests. The Timberwolves totaled 50 rebounds against Denver’s 33.

They also out-rebounded Jokic and Co. 19-6 on the offensive glass. The Nuggets were also sloppy with the ball, committing 13 turnovers against the Timberwolves, who had only seven. 

“There is nothing to blame David Adelman. It’s all us,” Jokic added. 

Adelman has been great for the Nuggets since he took the coaching job last season. He was promoted to the Nuggets’ interim head coach after the Nuggets fired Michael Malone with just three games remaining in the regular season. 

Under Adelman, the Nuggets won the first-round series against the LA Clippers. They eventually lost to the future supports, the OKC Thunder, in the second round.

Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets Team Take Responsibility Instead of Blaming Others

This is the first time the Nuggets have faced a first-round exit in the last four years. Led by a superstar player, Denver has remained a top contender for years. The exit should sting Denver. 

The entire roster took ownership of the poor performance. While Jokic defended his head coach, Adelman took responsibility for the loss. 

“Very disappointing end to the season. I’m the head coach. I take responsibility for things that didn’t go well here,” Adelman said.

Jamal Murray shot four of 17 from the field and put -18 in plus/minus, the worst in the game. Murray also didn’t shy away from accepting that he could have done a better job in an elimination game.

“When I get the looks that I need, they don’t go down,” Murray said. “So that’s the frustrating part, not showing up when my team needed me the most tonight. I feel like if I would’ve played a little bit better, we would’ve had that game.”

However, while Murray and Jokic are certainly not going anywhere irrespective of the team’s results, Adelman doesn’t have the same security.

The Nuggets could sack their head coach because the Nuggets’ playoff record hasn’t been impressive under him.

Do you think Adelman deserves another chance? Comment down your thoughts below!