Nuggets Face Obvious Coaching Choice After Thunder Series
Regardless of whether the Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Finals or are eliminated by the Thunder in the second round, one conclusion is hard to ignore: David Adelman has proven he deserves the permanent head coaching role.
Adelman was placed in a highly challenging situation when the Nuggets’ ownership unexpectedly dismissed GM Calvin Booth and Head Coach Michael Malone just three games before the end of the regular season.
Having served as Malone’s assistant since 2017, Adelman was named interim head coach. At 43, he hadn’t yet held a head coaching role in the NBA but brought years of experience as an assistant, a strong basketball pedigree as the son of Hall of Famer Rick Adelman, and had previously interviewed for head coaching positions.
Initially, analysts assumed the Nuggets’ late-season shakeup signaled a shift toward long-term planning. But instead, the team responded immediately, closing out the regular season with three straight wins to secure the fourth seed and homecourt advantage in the first round.
Despite their finish, Denver entered the playoffs as underdogs against the Clippers and weren’t expected to seriously contend in a tough Western Conference.
Adelman Proving He’s the Right Choice
Adelman, however, had other plans. He coached a sharp series against the Clippers, making bold choices like favoring Russell Westbrook over Michael Porter Jr. in crunch time and successfully altering defensive schemes to limit Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
His performance in the second round against the Thunder has been even more impressive. Adelman’s creative use of zone defenses has effectively disrupted MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has struggled more against Denver than any other opponent this season.
While the players deserve credit, the Nuggets aren’t exactly known for elite defense. Much of their success stems from Adelman’s strategic adjustments and ability to put his roster in winning situations. Under his guidance, Denver’s defense has looked elite at the most critical point of the season.
Making the Most of Limited Resources
Adelman inherited a depleted roster, relying on just six dependable playoff contributors. After MPJ suffered a shoulder injury in Game 2 of the first round, the rotation became even more limited. Yet Adelman has expertly managed the bench and timed substitutions to squeeze the most out of his players.
The team’s chemistry under Adelman is evident. Stars like Nikola Jokic have publicly supported him, and the group seems to thrive under his leadership. Given how this team has responded amid adversity, the Nuggets would be making a serious mistake not to remove the interim label and make David Adelman their full-time head coach.
