David Adelman Deserves Full-Time Role After Coaching Masterclass in Game 7 Win Over Clippers…
David Adelman may have just cemented his case for the Denver Nuggets’ head coaching job after leading the team to a commanding Game 7 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Outmaneuvering Tyronn Lue in the series finale, Adelman has made a compelling argument that Nuggets executive Josh Kroenke would be making a serious mistake if he didn’t hand him the reins full-time.
Emerging from a grueling seven-game series, the Nuggets showed signs of the same balanced, championship-caliber squad from 2023—locking in defensively and scoring in bunches. And while the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder enter the next round as the rightful favorites, Denver suddenly looks like it has a real shot at the upset—something that felt unthinkable just a few weeks ago.
A major reason for this turnaround? The momentum created by the new voice at the helm.
Thrust into the spotlight with just three games left in a season teetering on collapse, Adelman took over for the most successful coach in franchise history. It was a high-pressure debut for the interim coach—but he’s risen to the challenge in style.
Since Michael Malone’s departure, the Nuggets have gone 7-3 under Adelman. It’s a small sample, sure, but the improvement has been dramatic enough to prove that he’s earned a shot as the permanent head coach, no matter how the series against OKC plays out.
Facing Tyronn Lue—who was 4-0 in Game 7s and had a championship ring from 2016—Adelman came out ahead in the biggest game of his brief head coaching career. Whether it was trusting Russell Westbrook in the series opener, sagging off Kris Dunn, or deploying well-timed double-teams on Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Adelman showcased a tactical sharpness that has already caught the attention of teams around the league.
Despite a depleted rotation, he managed to get the best out of his roster. One standout decision was increasing Peyton Watson’s minutes. Though the third-year wing had missed much of the latter part of the season, Adelman’s confidence paid off in Game 7. Watson delivered youth, energy, and much-needed defense—something the Nuggets lacked during last year’s postseason collapse.
Watson was nearly perfect in his 17 minutes, tallying 9 points (on 4-of-4 shooting), 4 rebounds, a steal, and a block. If Denver is going to challenge OKC, he’ll be crucial in helping slow down superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—who poses mismatches for both Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
Even more impactful, though, has been the play of Russell Westbrook. Facing his former team, Westbrook had a resurgent series, and Adelman’s support never wavered. Rather than playing it safe with a more conservative option like rookie Jalen Pickett, Adelman let Russ be Russ—earning respect for his conviction, especially from skeptics.
Jokic Embracing a Bigger Leadership Role
Another development since Adelman took over has been the emergence of Nikola Jokic as a more vocal leader. While Jokic brushed off reports about his increased leadership after the Game 7 win, insiders within the organization have confirmed the shift.
The change makes sense. Jokic has evolved dramatically since arriving in Denver as a quiet, homesick teenager. With Malone as his coach throughout that transformation, Jokic likely felt a sense of deference to the man who helped shape his career.
Under Adelman, who’s more measured and focused on strategy than fiery motivation, Jokic appears more empowered. A key moment came during Game 4 when Jokic called a substitution himself—a move that suggested he feels comfortable speaking up and contributing beyond the box score.
Looking Ahead to OKC
Following Saturday’s big win, Adelman reminded the team to celebrate—but only briefly. With Game 1 against the Thunder coming on short rest, the challenge ahead is steep.
Oklahoma City boasts a well-rounded, young core led by Gilgeous-Alexander, and they’re deeper, healthier, and more athletic than Denver right now. With players like Michael Porter Jr. battling injuries, the task of winning four games against this squad looks daunting.
Still, with Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets have a championship pedigree that can’t be discounted. It may be improbable—but not impossible.
No matter how the next round plays out, one thing seems clear: David Adelman has proven he’s more than capable of leading this team into the future.
