Nikola Jokic reveals “private” chairman conversation about Malone: “We made a decision”
The Nuggets star spoke to the media, revealing that he had a chat about coach Malone getting fired.
The Denver Nuggets (48-32) put an end to a four-game winless streak with a return to form and a solid 124-116 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, with superstar Nikola Jokic providing the much-needed spark that his side had been lacking.
The game was the first on-court appearance of the side following the sacking of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, who were shockingly dismissed from their positions despite the side being placed fourth in the division.
Speaking to the media in the aftermath of the game, Jokic, who put up his 33rd triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on the night, revealed that it was actually Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, who informed him of the decision to get rid of Malone.
‘If someone gets fired, probably you are next’
“I knew a little bit before everybody,” Jokic admitted. “And he told me, ‘We made a decision.’ So it was not a discussion. It was a decision. He told me why. And so I listened. And I accepted it. I’m not going to tell you what he told me. I’m going to keep that private.”
Jokic also admitted that the dressing room felt the pressure after hearing the news: “I mean, when someone wants to make [a change] or change energy, that’s probably what they do. In my country, if someone get fired, [the] word is probably you are the next [one to go]... I mean if you want to change something, that’s how [they] do it, and the owner wanted to do it.”
“I texted to him (Malone),” Jokic added. “It was a 10-year relationship, so it was heavy day for everybody, probably especially for him and his family. But I would say it’s part of the business... I mean probably we will figure it out, we always figure it out. Last 10 years, we figured it out. Maybe [the] owner saw something else, and he wanted to change it.”
Jokic’s teammate Michael Porter Jr. was equally as honest, saying that “we can’t dwell on it. It is shocking. It was a surprise to all of us, but our job is to go out there and play basketball and get ready for the playoffs. So I appreciate everything Coach Malone has done for me. Sent him a text, but can’t dwell on any of that stuff.
“We’ve been through a lot. ... We’re a resilient group. We’re going to take on the challenge going into these next couple games, going into the playoffs, and I think you’re going to see the best version of us that you’ve seen this year”, he concluded.
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