Michael Malone, head coach of the Denver Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets and their head coach Michael Malone agreed on a contract extension which, according to ESPN, will keep the 48-year-old at the Pepsi Center until the 2022-23 season, announced Tim Connelly, the Nuggets' President of Basketball Operations, on Tuesday.
"We have been very fortunate to have Coach Malone lead our resurgence. His tireless work ethic and passion are clearly reflected in the continued improvement of our roster. We are all extremely excited for him to continue to lead our team as we try to build a championship level organization," said Connelly in a statement.
Michael Malone (C) is introduced as new head coach of the Denver Nuggets at a press conference at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, June 16, 2019.
Malone started his NBA coaching career with the Sacramento Kings in 2013 and took over Denver in 2015. Though his first season ended with a plain record of 33-49, Malone managed to get a group of averagely-talented young men under his wing to build a team-work-based youth legion that began to impress the league.
Having missed the playoffs twice as No. 9 in the Western Conference for another two seasons, the Nuggets advanced into the postseason competition as West's No. 2 in the 2018-19 season. After two seven-game series, they knocked out the San Antonio Spurs but were eliminated by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nikola Jokic (L), Jamal Murray (C) and head coach Michael Malone (R) of the Denver Nuggets.
One of Malone's major contributions to Denver is that he fostered Nikola Jokic, the No. 41 select of the 2014 NBA Draft and Jamal Murray, the Jamal Murray, the No. 7 select of the 2016 draft, as the team's cornerstone players. Without Malone, the only thing about Jokic that might draw attention would have been his terrifying consumption of Coca-Cola; Murray would have become another stat-padding guard in scoring.
"I would like to thank Josh, Stan, and the entire Kroenke family, along with Tim Connelly and the front office, for continuing to believe and trust in me as their head coach. None of this would be possible without the hard work, dedication, and trust of our players as well as the entire coaching staff. I'd also like to thank the amazing fans in Denver who have helped make Pepsi Center one of the toughest places to play in the NBA once again. I look forward to continuing our ultimate goal of winning NBA Championships," said Malone in a statement.
The Nuggets are currently No. 2 in the Western Conference with 21-8. Having claimed seven straight wins already, they will be meeting the challenge of the New Orleans Pelicans at home for the NBA Christmas Day Games on Wednesday.