Mike Malone. David Banks-Imagn Images

Nuggets owner hints at why Michael Malone was fired

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 8:48 AM ET

Denver Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke hinted at a big reason why Michael Malone was shockingly fired on Tuesday.

The Nuggets announced Tuesday that they had fired both Malone and GM Calvin Booth. Malone had been the team’s head coach since the 2015-16 season and led them to the NBA championship two years ago.

The Nuggets are 47-32 this season and have lost four games in a row, which left the team’s ownership unsettled. They were leaning toward firing Malone after the season anyway, but they made the move with three games left in the regular season in hopes of sparking the team.

Kroenke spoke with Altitude reporter Vic Lombardi and told him he wants to see the Nuggets “have fun” and play with joy again.

The hope is this moves provides a spark for what’s left in the @nuggets season/postseason.

I asked Josh to identify his immediate expectations for this team:

“Play hard and have fun.”

Need to see this team play with joy again. https://t.co/hEbgEzqmiu
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) April 8, 2025

This is just like when a football team fires a strict coach and goes with someone who is looser in attitude. They often hope it will spark a change and fire up the team.

This is a gamble for the Nuggets, as they know Malone has been successful during past postseasons. They panicked amid a losing streak with the playoffs looming and made a big change.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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