Former longtime Denver Nuggets coach George Karl posted on social media regarding the Nuggets’ decision to fire Michael Malone.
And while George Karl had few words to offer, left speechless like mostm his reaction speaks volumes about the shocking nature of the move.
Karl’s succinct response perfectly captured the basketball world’s collective disbelief at Denver’s unexpected coaching change just days before the conclusion of the regular season.
The Nuggets’ decision to part ways with Malone comes as a major surprise given the coach’s impressive tenure with the organization.
Malone had been at the helm for nearly a decade and delivered the franchise its first-ever NBA championship in 2023.
The timing is particularly puzzling, as Denver Nuggets currently sits fourth in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record and remains firmly in position to secure a playoff berth, either directly or through the play-in tournament.
Recent bad results appear to have sealed Malone’s fate, with the team suffering through a concerning four-game losing streak that prompted the front office to make this dramatic change.
Karl himself had previously criticized the team’s defensive performance during this slide.
Denver’s defensive shortcomings were particularly evident against certain individual matchups, with opponents finding success even against star center Nikola Jokic.
Karl, who guided the Nuggets from 2005 to 2013 with an impressive 423-257 record and led them to consistent playoff appearances including one Western Conference Finals berth, watched as Malone took the franchise to unprecedented heights.
Malone departs with a stellar 471-327 coaching record, having transformed Denver from a middling franchise into a championship contender centered around three-time MVP Jokic.
The organizational shakeup extends beyond the coaching position, with general manager Calvin Booth also being released, signaling what appears to be a comprehensive reset despite the team’s recent success and championship pedigree.
