The Denver Nuggets have officially named David Adelman as their head coach, removing the interim label after a promising playoff run. This move marks a significant moment in Adelman’s career and continues a family legacy that began with his father, Rick Adelman, a former NBA coach and player. The announcement signals a new direction for the Nuggets, who made a bold decision in parting ways with Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the playoffs.
David Adelman Follows Father’s Footsteps With Nuggets Head Coach News
Adelman Makes His Mark in the Playoffs
Adelman took over the Nuggets with just three games remaining in the regular season. Despite the abrupt transition, he immediately led the team to three straight wins. The Nuggets entered the playoffs as underdogs and stunned many by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 in the first round.
That momentum carried over into the Western Conference semifinals, where Denver pushed the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling seven-game series. The Thunder, widely considered title favorites, struggled to put the Nuggets away. Adelman’s tactical adjustments and calm leadership helped the team nearly pull off a major upset. Though they ultimately fell short, Denver’s performance under Adelman caught national attention.
A Coaching Pedigree Rooted in NBA History
Adelman isn’t new to the game. He’s the son of Rick Adelman, who coached in the NBA for over two decades and led the Portland Trail Blazers to two Western Conference Championships. Rick also played for the Blazers in the early 1970s and held several assistant coaching roles before becoming a respected head coach. He won over 1,000 games (1,042) with a 58.2% winning percentage. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
David has followed a similar trajectory. He worked as an assistant with the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves before joining the Nuggets in 2017. Over the years, he earned the trust of the organization and built strong relationships with the players. That long-term investment paid off when he stepped in as interim coach.
Kroenke Cites Relationship With Players as Key
During Thursday’s press conference, Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke emphasized Adelman’s deep connection with the roster. “He knows what makes them tick,” Kroenke said. “He understands them as people, not just as players.”
Kroenke admitted he initially considered hiring from outside the organization but changed course after witnessing the team’s unity under Adelman. The decision to promote David Adelman to Nuggets Head Coach stemmed from both performance and chemistry.
Turmoil Before Turnaround
The decision to fire both Michael Malone and Calvin Booth raised eyebrows around the league. With Denver sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference and just two years removed from a championship, the timing seemed unusual. However, behind-the-scenes tensions reportedly made the shake-up inevitable.
Despite the chaos, Adelman stepped in and restored stability. His success as interim coach made it difficult for the front office to look elsewhere. The decision to install him as the full-time Nuggets Head Coach feels earned, not forced.
The Road Ahead for David Adelman and the Nuggets
Now that the Nuggets have filled the coaching vacancy, their focus shifts to hiring a new general manager. Adelman, however, will lead the basketball side of the organization. As the new Nuggets Head Coach, David Adelman will try to build on this year’s playoff success.
Denver’s performance under Adelman suggests that the franchise may have found the right leader for the next chapter. Promoting Adelman to Nuggets Head Coach wasn’t just a sentimental choice. It was a calculated decision based on merit and continuity. His playoff run showed he could lead under pressure. His relationships with the players proved invaluable.
Now, like his father before him, Adelman has the opportunity to shape a franchise. He’ll aim to take the Nuggets back to championship contention, and possibly beyond.
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