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By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Only a few days before the start of the playoffs, the Nuggets decided to separate from several influential members of their organization chart, including their coach Mike Malone. And according to the latest reports, Russell Westbrook would have a link with this upheaval.
So far, this choice has been paid on the ground. It remains to be seen if it can always be perceived in this way in a few weeks. On the move this Wednesday in Sacramento on Wednesday, the Nuggets found their way to victory under the orders of their interim coach, David Adelman. The timing of the dismissal of his predecessor, Mike Malone, nevertheless continues to ask questions within the League.
Mike Malone fired from Nuggets, Russell Westbrook in question?
While his team remained relatively well placed in the title race, Malone was thanked by his leaders a few days before the start of the playoffs. What suggest that the situation in Denver was really no longer tenable as it is. Culprits were then quickly sought in this case, and in particular by Nick Wright who, on the set of First Things Firstindirectly targeted Russell Westbrook:
Nick Wright : I'm never happy when someone is fired. I just think that fate sometimes does things well and those who, like me, warned that no matter where Russ goes, people lose their job, were not necessarily wrong.
Words that had then led to many furious reactions from Westbrook fans, determined to prove his innocence.
However, Brodie may well have a share of responsibility, although relative, in the eviction of his coach. Sam Amick and Tony Jones of The Athletic report:
The continuous support of Malone towards Westbrook, despite the frustration that the latter generated on and off the field, in the end made the coach lose his credibility with the team's key players.
The fact that Malone was more conciliatory and less demanding vis-à-vis Jokic and Murray could get along. But the fact that he adopts this same kind of treatment with regard to Westbrook, despite his CV of future Hall of Famer, was not so well received by certain members of the franchise.
He also dismissed from his duties, Calvin Booth would have been part of this protesting fringe.
Indeed, according to this same source, the now ex-General Manager of Nuggets did not understand why Russ was preferred to young Jalen Pickett in the rotation of Malone. In his eyes, the Sophomore back deserved to be used more, while a veteran such as the 2017 MVP could be satisfied with the role of a cloakroom leader. A disagreement which would also explain the combined departure of the two men.
By maintaining his confidence in Russell Westbrook without taking into account the contrary opinions within the franchise, Mike Malone would have dug his grave on the side of Denver. To see therefore how the Brodie will be managed in the days and weeks to come.
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