Malone’s ‘beautiful journey’ to 300
Milestone win with Nuggets comes against Kings organization that fired him during 2014-15 season
Nuggets coach Michael Malone used to ask himself if he’d ever get another chance.
His tenure in Sacramento ended unceremoniously and abruptly during the 2014-’15 season, leaving the long-time assistant wondering if that was it.
By the start of the next season, Nuggets owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, along with team president Tim Connelly, made Malone their guy. Seven seasons later, Malone basked in his 300th win as the Nuggets’ coach, relishing Thursday’s 128-110 victory, which came, ironically, in the Kings’ arena.
Will Barton’s Nuggets tenure began one season before Malone arrived. It was fitting that he was the one to mess with Malone prior to Thursday’s tip-off.
“This is the house that Michael Malone built,” he told him, fully aware that Malone’s Kings tenure was never given the runway to blossom. In fact, when Barton first met with Malone after he’d landed the job in Denver, he told him he thought he should’ve still been coaching in Sacramento. But their loss was Denver’s gain.
The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, a 15-season drought defined by stops, starts and inconsistencies. Sacramento need only look to Denver to see what patience can yield.
Barton said he’s seen significant growth from Malone in terms of his game-planning and his ability to keep his emotions in check. Much like a player, the coach has shown an eagerness to improve in all facets.
“This business is not for the weak-minded, so I’m just thankful to be in an organization that values family, culture, and to have ownership continue to believe in me means the world to me and my family,” Malone said after the game.
Malone, generally not one for personal reflection, looked back to Game 82 at the end of the 2017-18 season. The overtime loss to Minnesota ended their season one win shy of the playoffs but validated the direction they were heading.
“Most ownership groups would’ve panicked,” Malone said.
Instead, that shared pain became the basis for the four playoff series they’d win over the next three seasons. Malone, who may not have been aware of the milestone if he hadn’t been asked about it recently, cited the Nuggets’ culture as the leading factor in their success. That included players, coaches, front office and ownership, and a common ethos that they’ve all tried to pull in the same direction.
The same cannot be said of the Kings, who’ve waffled on numerous coaching decisions and recently traded a player who appeared to be a future cornerstone in Tyrese Haliburton. Their return – Domantas Sabonis – is an excellent player, though the move was panned around the NBA if for no other reason than that the Kings have lost the benefit of the doubt.
Back in the victorious locker room, Nikola Jokic interrupted Malone’s post-game speech. He said he had something to say, and Malone wisely ceded the floor. Jokic handed Malone the game ball to commemorate the night.
And then he said the quiet part out loud.
“I’m glad it was against Sac because they fired him,” Jokic said. “You are good to us.”
Malone was diplomatic the entire night. There weren’t any overt sideswipes at his former organization, only praise and gratitude toward his current one.
Nonetheless, he flashed a hearty smile at Jokic’s candor.
“He gave me opportunity,” Jokic said. “I really like and love to battle with him … With him, not against him. It’s a beautiful journey.”