JUST THE START
I was an NBA coach with Golden State Warriors – I want to create next basketball dynasty with Denver Nuggets
Malone is in his ninth season with the Nuggets, totaling a 383-279 overall record
NBA head coach Michael Malone is building a dynasty with the Denver Nuggets.
The over-20-year coach helped lead the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history in 2023.
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It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Malone, though.
Malone drew coaching inspiration from his father, Brendan, who was an assistant on the Detroit Pistons.
Brendan was a longtime assistant and driving force behind the "Bad Boys" Pistons defenses in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
During those years, Detroit was one of the most feared teams in the association due to its physical play, allowing them to beat teams like Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers and Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls en route to two championships.
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Despite the historic connection to his father, Malone sent about 75 letters to Division I coaches asking for a chance to join their staff - while juggling two jobs after graduation.
If coaching didn't pan out, Malone pondered an unorthodox career alternative: a career in the Secret Service.
Luckily for the coach-to-be, Providence coach Pete Gillen took a chance on him in 1995, kickstarting his basketball coaching career.
Less than six years later, Malone was in the NBA, joining the New York Knicks and coach Jeff Van Gundy's staff.
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Shortly after, Malone had stints with the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, Chris Paul-helmed New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), and Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors.
While a part of the Warriors, he impressed many of the staff and players, including Draymond Green.
His efforts led to his first head coaching gig as coach of the Sacramento Kings in 2013.
It was a short-lived tenure in Sacramento however, with Malone getting fired just 25 games into his contract.
Again, his efforts were not unnoticed, and in 2015, was announced as the Nuggets 23rd head coach in franchise history.
"I don't take this honor lightly," Malone said at his introductory press conference.
"Being a head coach in the NBA is something I've dreamed about for many years. The opportunity I had in Sacramento was great and I learned a lot in my time there but now this is a new opportunity for me and my family.
"My wife, Jocelyn, and our two daughters are very excited about this next chapter in our lives and I have to give a lot of thanks to my mother and father as well."
Now, nine years into his job on the Nuggets, Malone is in the middle of a possible Denver dynasty.
The Nuggets won their first championship in 2023 behind the head coach and superstar center Nikola Jokic.
With Denver, Malone has a .579 winning percentage, posting a 383-279 overall record.
This season, the Nuggets are currently in the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
At their ring ceremony to start the season, Malone teased this was just the start.
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"Last year was amazing, we got one ring," he said.
"Who wants another?"
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