Image Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

“It Has Been My Absolute Pleasure to Lead…” – Michael Malone Pens Emotional Goodbye After Getting Sacked

Image Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Just hours after the final game of the regular season, former Denver Nuggets coach penned a heartfelt note for his team, fans, and the management. Michael Malone humbly shared a thankful note without any controversial statement or clarification over his last week’s brutal firing.

The one-time NBA champion coach waited for the right time to tell the goodbyes as well. He waited for the regular season to get over so as not to distract the team and the management, who have already been under pressure with the way things turned out over the last few days.

While the NBA world was in shock after the Nuggets’ ownership decided to fire head coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth last week. The timing was awkward as the Nuggets were just three games away from finishing the regular season action and preparing for the playoffs series. Also, the performance of the Nuggets was smooth sailing this season.

REPORT: Brian Windhorst says Michael Malone was ‘not calm’ after being fired.

“It got out pretty quickly in the NBA that Michael Malone’s reaction to being fired was not calm, which is not a surprise. I don’t blame him.”

(via The Hoop Collective Podcast) pic.twitter.com/1UzCLJotqL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 13, 2025

Also Read: Nikola Jokic Creates NBA History as Denver Nuggets Clinch No. 4 Seed and Home Court Advantage for Playoffs

The real reason behind the duo firings was a lack of cohesion in the workplace. Both Malone and Booth had major differences over the team’s decisions. The disagreements became a thing of daily, and went on for months until Josh Kroenke decided that it was enough. Despite the controversial nature of his sacking, Michael Malone remained graceful in his goodbye message.

Michael Malone’s Graceful Goodbye

Malone, in his goodbye note, penned,

“To Nuggets nation, it has been my absolute pleasure to lead and fight for our team every night. To help bring Denver its first NBA championship is an accomplishment that I will always cherish. I will be forever grateful for the unwavering love and support you showed me and my family. Denver is home, and being your coach has been my privilege.”

No matter how the recent few weeks have transpired, Michael Malone will remain a legend for the Denver Nuggets. It was under Malone’s leadership that the game-changing historic acquisition of Nikola Jokic and his phenom transformation took place. Not only Jokic, but Malone also had his ways in developing Jamal Murray into a fiery NBA star.

Michael Malone will also be firmly remembered for the franchise’s first NBA championship. Overcoming all the odds, the Denver Nuggets finished first in the regular season, won the Western Conference title, and eventually beat the Miami Heat in a dominating margin of 4-1 to clinch the NBA championship. The legacy of Malone remains rich despite the way things ended at the Nuggets.

The NBA’s Championship Coach Curse

Michael Malone joins an uncomfortable club of champions shown the door. Despite performing at their best, NBA coaches have been more prone to getting fired. A deeper trend has caught NBA franchises, particularly in the case of championship teams. A championship curse of sorts has emerged where head coaches, after leading their teams to the pinnacle, have been fired.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel led his side to the NBA championship in 2020. Despite a winning portfolio, he was fired in 2022. Similarly, Nick Nurse, who led the Raptors to victory in the 2019 NBA Finals, got the sack in 2023. The Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA title in 2021 under Mike Budenholzer, but even he was fired two years later. That brings us to Michael Malone, who has also been shown the door after winning the NBA title two years ago.