Nikola Jokic issues strong warning to the NBA after Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone

The NBA world was rocked by the unexpected firing of Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth. While the team had struggled to meet preseason expectations, the move still came as a shock. In the wake of the decision, franchise star Nikola Jokic sent a powerful warning to the league as the Nuggets gear up for the playoffs.

The firing of Malone, mere days before the postseason, was spearheaded by Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke. The team had endured a four-game losing streak that threatened their standing in the Western Conference. However, after a confidence-boosting 124-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Jokic made his stance clear about the team’s mindset heading into the playoffs.

“I think Josh [Kroenke] got the response that he wanted,” Jokic said after the win. “People say we are vulnerable, but the beast is always most dangerous when they’re vulnerable. So maybe he woke up the beast”.

Despite skepticism about how the Nuggets would fare without Malone, Jokic proved that his team remains formidable. The reigning MVP notched his 32nd triple-double of the season with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, demonstrating that Denver is anything but fragile following their coach’s departure.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets high fives head coach Michael Malone on December 12, 2023. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Jokic acknowledges Malone’s firing is just business

Michael Malone’s 10-year tenure with the Nuggets helped transform Jokic into an MVP-caliber player and brought Denver its first NBA championship. Still, the Serbian star understands that Malone’s departure is part of the business.

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“Where I come from, it’s part of the sport. People come and go,” Jokic said. “It was 10 years with the coach, and we went through everything. We were bad, we won a championship. We have some great memories. But, you know, it’s part of the business”.

Kroenke about the decision to move on from Malone

While Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke didn’t give a detailed explanation for firing Malone, he addressed the timing of the move and its implications for the franchise’s goals.

“This decision was not made lightly, and it was evaluated very carefully,” Kroenke said in a statement. “We are doing this with the goal of giving our team the best chance to compete for the 2025 NBA Championship and deliver another title to Denver and our fans everywhere”.

“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone played a pivotal role in building the foundation of our championship-caliber program, it is a necessary step to ensure we can compete at the highest level moving forward,” Kroenke continued.

“Championship-level standards and expectations remain for the current season, and as we look to the future, we aim to build on the foundation Malone laid during his record-breaking 10-year tenure in Denver,” he added.