In his first public remarks following the surprising firings of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, Nikola Jokić, the three-time MVP, expressed that these abrupt changes have significantly impacted the Denver Nuggets' locker room dynamics. He noted that the decisions have "definitely changed something" in the team's mindset as they gear up for the playoff push. After the Nuggets secured a 124-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Jokić elaborated on how the organization’s recent moves have shifted the energy within the team.
Jokić remarked, “When someone wants to … change energy, that’s probably what they do.” His perspective reflects a cultural understanding, emphasizing that in his home country, such firings often signal that others may be next. He acknowledged that the organizational shake-up has indeed altered the atmosphere within the Nuggets: “So I think that definitely changed something.”
In a revelation about the timing of the news, Jokić shared that he was informed of the coaching changes “a little bit before everybody,” but chose to keep the specifics of his conversation with team president Josh Kroenke private. “(Josh) told me we made a decision, so it was not a discussion. It was a decision,” Jokić explained. He continued, “He told me why, and I accepted it. I’m not gonna say what he told me. I’m going to keep that private.”
Describing Tuesday as a “heavy day for everybody,” Jokić took a moment to reach out to Malone, whose tenure in Denver began in the summer of 2015—the same year Jokić was drafted. “It’s part of the business,” Jokić stated, reflecting on the nature of professional sports. He underscored the importance of maintaining professionalism, saying, “I think I’m a professional and I think this is my job so I’m trying to be as professional as possible.”
Currently, the Nuggets stand at 48-32, holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference, just two years removed from their NBA championship win. With only two games remaining in the season, Jokić emphasized the necessity for the team to adapt swiftly to its new coach: “It has to be quick, like really quick.”
Recent reports from The Athletic indicate that tensions have been brewing within the Nuggets' front office and locker room this season, with Booth and Malone often clashing. This internal strife left multiple players, including Jokić, feeling frustrated and fatigued by Malone’s coaching style. The ongoing “cold war” within the organization partly contributed to the Kroenke family’s rare decision to dismiss both the coach and general manager simultaneously.
As the Nuggets navigate this transitional phase, Jokić’s leadership and adaptability will be crucial in steering the team towards success in the playoffs.
