The end justifies the means, and in Denver, the dismissal of Mike Malone (and GM Calvin Booth) was not synonymous with elimination. Three matches from the end of the regular season, the management of the Nuggets had caused an earthquake by separating from its coach to replace it with David Adelman. A choice ultimately paying since the team avoided the “play-in”, and the advantage of the field allowed him to win in seven rounds against the Clippers.
“If we had not made these changes, we would have been unable to reach a game 7” launched a director of the franchise in ESPN. Half-words, Nikola Jokic acknowledged that this change had been beneficial. “I think the owner wanted to change something, change the energy and probably he has succeeded,” admits the Serb. “He obtained the result he wanted. »»
Denver’s strength? Modesty in confidence
This qualification is also the victory, literally and figuratively, of David Adelman. Promoted “Head Coach”, he knows that he is suspended and that his experience at the head of the team could stop this summer. But this qualification in the conference semi-final and the group’s membership in its project bring it closer to a contract extension.
“Everyone has brought something, and when it is, you know that your two best players will end up. And that’s what happened. I’m really proud of the guys … It was a crazy series and it’s great to win. It was memorable, but we don’t really have time to think about it because we leave for Okc » he said after the victory of his players.
For him, the group found the state of mind of 2023 with more humility: “There is a lot of modesty in confidence in there. We must approach these matches with great respect for those who are on the other side of the corridor, for what these guys are capable of. But either you should not enter the match without saying: ‘Yes, we can do it.’ We have already done it, we’ve already seen that, we’ve already been there, and we have succeeded. »»
