NBA coaches react to the eviction of the nugget coach

The president and owner of Nuggets, Josh Kroenke, dismissed the director general Calvin Booth on Tuesday and head coach Michael Malone.

And the layoffs of Malone, in particular, sent shock waves through the NBA with reacting head coaches at the end of what had been the fourth longer mandate of head coach of the League. Here is what some of them had to say:

Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

“I wake up every day by saying that it could be my last day. You must have this type of perspective. Because it gives you gratitude. It also keeps you hungry.

Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

“Shocked like everyone else. Mike was obviously an excellent, excellent coach, championship coach and (had) a fantastic record. And, once again, as with (Memphis coach) Taylor (Jenkins), you expect nothing so late in the season. And then, as I said with Tayor, organizations have to do their own business, and we don’t really think I don’t know. He did an incredible job.

Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic

“It is too familiar as we have said that lately. I will preface this by saying that I do not know what is going on in other organizations, so it is difficult to talk about what is going on there. Five years, he is there.

“You look, and as a coach, you understand the work for which we have registered, and it is very apparent. We know what comes with the territory. But that makes you consider yourself an individually coach, because you have to think and say: “Do I do things that I have to do with every day to continue walking in this building and love the organization?” Do we do it as we are supposed to do it? And it’s just self-reflection because you see that this happens in this industry. »»

JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers

“Shocked, I think like most people. I think the coaching profession has always been perilous. It becomes more and more perilous. And patience at all levels for everything – coaching, players, front office – it feels like everyone is really growing at the moment. And there are certain franchises – OKC is an excellent example – which has the same GM for 17 years. hard in the NBA.

Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns

“This league is difficult. To win a championship, to have all the success he had, to build the program he has built, the individual success for their players, organizational success … He is just an excellent coach. The proof is in everything he has done.”

Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks

“Just disappointment. This is the unfortunate part of the company. I have known Michael for decades. Incredible family. Grand coach. So you hate seeing him, especially when he had been there for so long. I also worked with Calvin Booth, who is a great guy too. But Michael has just done a phenomenal job there and it’s really unhappy.”