Nikola Jokic's icy reaction to the Nugget Coach Reference

By Joël Pütz | Sports journalist

The news of Michael Malone's dismissal surprised everyone, marking the end of a ten -year -old relationship with Nikola Jokic. The latter reacted honestly to the move of its leaders … and warned the competition with a creepy message.

Returning your coach a few days before the end of the regular season, it can get up a few eyebrows. Doing it while your franchise will play the playoffs, it is daring … but if you have won 47 games since the campaign kicks off and you are fourth from the West conference, it is simply unheard of unless you call yourself the Nuggets and you will see Michael Malone.

It must be said that the tactician seemed at the end of the race in Colorado. In conflict with GM Calvin Booth for months (the latter having also taken the door), he had especially lost the support of a good part of his locker room. He was criticized for being too lax towards certain stars and of not having other members of the roster play enough, and he himself had said that his men no longer listened to his instructions.

It was therefore his assistant David Adelman who assures the interim until the end of the season and his beginnings on the bench ended in a victory against the Kings, this night (124-116). True to his habits, Nikola Jokic split a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Asked after the final whistle, the triple MVP did not hide that this electro-shock could be saving for the nuggets:

Nikola Jokic warns the rest of the league before the playoffs

It woke us up. We need to be more united before the playoffs and I think that once we are there, we can repair certain things. You can fight and compete with anyone.

Regarding the dismissal of the one who had been his superior since his arrival in the League, the Joker has not hidden a certain sadness but is realistic as to the decision taken by President Josh Kroenke, Even if we accuse him of having contributed to it :

From where I come, it's part of the sport. People come and go, but it was a 10 -year relationship with the coach, and we crossed everything together. We were bad and then we won a title, we have a lot of good memories in common. But you know, I would say it's part of the business.

It remains to be seen what Denver will be worth during post-Son, but n ° 15 does not seem to be concerned about it. On the contrary, Big Man warned the competition:

People say that we are vulnerable, but the beast is always the most dangerous when it is vulnerable … maybe he (Kroenke) woke up the beast.

The Nuggets tried a huge bet by separating from Michael Malone, but that does not change much in the mindset of Nikola Jokic. Its objective is always to seek a second title … and beware of those who underestimate the squad of the Pivot.