'Denver's Missteps: Insights from Josh Kroenke on the 'Nuggets'

Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke expressed regret for the recent changes made, which resulted in the abrupt firing of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.

However, Kroenke also suggested that these changes have already yielded the desired outcome.

\"The season is not yet over,\" Kroenke stated on Monday. \"We finished the season with a strong push, like a freight train in my opinion.\"

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Following a fourth consecutive loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night (April 6), Kroenke was prompted to make a change after observing the team's lackluster performance.

\"I could sense the lack of energy in the locker room,\" he explained. \"With a four-game losing streak heading into the playoffs and a flat atmosphere, I realized that I had let the team down. This was not up to the standards of Denver Nuggets basketball.\"

Kroenke revealed that there were two previous instances where he felt the team was not meeting his expectations, but he refrained from making a change out of respect for Malone and Booth.

On Monday, Ben Tenzer was named the interim general manager and will work alongside interim head coach David Adelman for the remainder of the playoffs.

Kroenke initially hesitated to make a change last Thanksgiving, and again during an eight-game winning streak before the All-Star break.

\"I either let my personal feelings or my belief in the group cloud my judgment,\" Kroenke admitted, confirming that he had met with Booth and Malone. \"I need individuals who will uphold the team's culture and drive us forward. We had a good run before the All-Star break, and there were reports that I was considering a change at that time. That is true.

\"However, those eight wins masked underlying issues that were occurring behind closed doors.\"

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Kroenke stated that no players or staff members had requested a change in the organizational structure. He did offer three-time MVP Nikola Jokic the opportunity to discuss the decision, but Kroenke said that Jokic simply shook his head in disagreement.

Nevertheless, Kroenke had reached a point where he recognized that certain things had deteriorated between his senior basketball officials. He apologized to Booth and Malone, describing their conversation as \"a difficult but positive one.\"

\"To be honest, neither of them deserved it. For that, I apologize. As the leader of the organization, I need to do better,\" Kroenke acknowledged.