New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau commented on the brand new rock of Denver.
Thibodeau was among the many many shocked by what occurred Tuesday in Mile Excessive Metropolis, whereas the Denver Nuggets are stunning stunning The chief head coach Michael Malone and the managing director Calvin Sales space With three video games to play on their file. Thibodeau and Malone have continuously Talked down very spoken about one another Through the years and the 2 have briefly collaborated on the Knicks bench as assistant trainers on Jeff Van Gundy’s remaining employees.
Thibodeau mentioned he was “disillusioned” by the information, commenting on the case shortly earlier than New York wanders the Boston Celtics at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Tom Thibodeau on the layoffs of Michael Malone and Calvin Sales space:
“Simply disappointment – that is the unlucky a part of the corporate. I’ve recognized Michael for many years. Unimaginable household, nice coach.” pic.twitter.com/scjbpulpn
– Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@noadalzell) April 8, 2025
“That is the unlucky a part of the corporate,” mentioned Thibodeau within the video of Noa Dalzell de Sbnation. “I’ve recognized Michael for many years, an unbelievable household, an amazing coach, so that you hate seeing him, particularly when you’ve got been there for thus lengthy … Michael has simply accomplished an outstanding job there and it is actually sad.”
Thibodeau additionally praised the work of Sales space, a “formidable man” who served within the entrance workplace of the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last stuff of the outdated. Sales space and Malone collaborated within the rise of Denver, which led to the primary NBA championship of the franchise in 2023.
The dismissal of Malone can be one of many final within the historical past of the NBA: with the playoffs looming subsequent week, Denver (47-32) is at the moment third on the assist of the Western convention sequence, however has misplaced 4 in a row. The perfect assistant David Adelman will take over within the wake of Malone.
“”[Malone] There was a protracted race there, and he did a superb job, gained a championship, so the report talks about himself, “mentioned Thibodeau.” Typically there are challenges. Clearly, whenever you take a look at the season they’d, they’d a piece the place they performed unbelievable, in addition to anybody within the league, then they’d accidents. That is due to this fact one in every of them. “”
“I do not know all the main points, however I simply hate to see this, the 2 guys, Michael and Calvin, the large households, simply good individuals. You hate seeing him.”
For the purpose of Thibodeau, the Nuggets misplaced a number of stars for lengthy intervals, as a result of Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson all missed no less than 10 video games because of issues. New York has swept Malone’s Nuggets within the annual inter-realion couple for the second consecutive season this time. The mixed victory margin was 37 factors.
Thibodeau was in all probability no temper to rejoice, however Malone’s dismissal made him the fourth lively head coach of the longest NBA together with his present crew at 5 season, behind solely Gregg Popovich (San Antonio), Erik Spoeletra (Miami) and Steve Kerr (Golden State).
