Coaching Changes Take Center Stage Before The NBA Playoffs

Recent coaching changes in the NBA highlight the enormous pressure to win at the highest level of basketball, along with the importance of organizational harmony and unity. Former head coaches Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies were dismissed in the past two weeks, despite having led their teams to playoff contention. These moves were unprecedented, especially considering they were made this late in the season. Perhaps the most surprising decision was the dismissal of Malone, who led the Nuggets to an NBA title just two years ago. Do these moves signal a shift toward a new norm in the league, or are they merely an anomaly?

Over the past decade, several NBA teams have made coaching changes shortly after winning championships. In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks won its first NBA title since 1971, yet they fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after the 2022-23 season. Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with Frank Vogel just two years after he led the team to a championship in 2020. Nick Nurse was dismissed four seasons after the Raptors’ championship run in 2018-19. Additionally, Tyronn Lue was let go just six games into the 2018-19 season, despite having led the Cleveland Cavaliers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances and winning a title in 2015-16. Although the state of affairs surrounding each situation may vary, the overarching theme suggests that ownership is less patient with head coaches today.

Besides failing to meet performance expectations, there are a number of possible reasons why head coaching changes occur, particularly during the season or following a successful campaign. Some possible reasons for coaching changes include personality clashes between head coaches and owners, front office personnel, or players, as well as contract disputes, an inability to adapt, and philosophical differences. Depending on the style or delivery, a coach’s approach or tone may not resonate with players in the same way over time. Internal conflict and division are often significant factors in the expedited dismissal of coaches. The business of basketball also plays a part. Conceivably, only the individuals directly involved or closely connected to the situations completely understand the full dynamic. Regardless of the circumstances, it is imperative for any organization to establish a culture that promotes open communication, prioritizes a harmonious environment, and values diverse perspectives.

Historical Significance

Historically, it is rare for NBA head coaches to be abruptly dismissed shortly after winning championships. Paul Westhead led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 1980 but was relieved of his duties just 11 games into the 1981-82 season. His replacement, Pat Riley, won another four NBA titles as the head coach of the Lakers during the 1980s before leaving the team. Following an NBA championship in 1988 and a Finals appearance in 1989, Riley chose to resign after guiding the Lakers to a league-best record of 63-19 during the 1989-90 season. In Episode 4 of the Hulu Original docuseries Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers, Riley expressed that fame and glory may have led to a change in his personality. He stated, “I think all the players got a little upset with all the attention that I was drawing to myself. I began to lose myself a little, thinking it (winning titles) was me.”

After leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s, Phil Jackson was essentially forced out by former general manager Jerry Krause, who sought to take the franchise in a new direction. The Last Dance docuseries, which originally aired in 2020, revisited details regarding the deterioration of the relationship between the general manager and the head coach. Before the 1997-98 season, Krause told Jackson, “If you go 82-0, you’re not coming back.” Jackson discussed their adversarial relationship in Episode 1 of the docuseries, stating, “His (Jerry’s) relationship with me had become such a circus. There was no chance for reconciliation.” The Bulls went on to win their sixth championship under Jackson’s leadership, a bittersweet victory that ultimately resulted in the breakup of the team. Subsequently, Jackson received an offer to return from owner Jerry Reinsdorf but opted to move on from a situation in which he felt unwelcome by management.

Malone’s recent firing from Denver is rather unique considering the timing. Nonetheless, there have been a few other situations that somewhat compare to Malone’s dismissal from Denver. The Atlanta Hawks’ decision to replace Hubie Brown with only three games remaining in the 1980-81 regular season is the closest comparison to the timeline of Malone’s dismissal, even though the Hawks were not contenders. Another example is former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, who shockingly resigned 54 games into the 2010-11 season after an alleged disagreement with point guard Deron Williams. Although Sloan never won an NBA title with Utah, he had experienced only one losing record in his 23 seasons as head coach of the Jazz. However, it is atypical for an NBA head coach of a playoff team to be dismissed at this juncture in the season.

Future for NBA Head Coaches

As previously mentioned, internal conflicts often lead to coaches and organizations parting ways. This could have been the case with the Denver Nuggets. In addition to the departure of head coach Michael Malone, the team has also chosen not to extend General Manager Calvin Booth’s contract and has restructured duties within the front office. The moves were made as the Nuggets are currently positioned as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. In an interview with Altitude TV’s Vic Lombardi, Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, stated, “In the world of professional sports, when winning is your currency, winning can mask a lot of things.”

The Nuggets’ decision to dismiss Michael Malone underscores the reality that NBA head coaches have limited job security in 2025. Steve Kerr shared his reaction with a group of reporters on Tuesday and stated, “I think one thing that’s happened is most teams are now owned by billionaires, big corporations. So, we’re all more expendable.” Time will reveal whether the decisions made by the Nuggets and Grizzlies to part ways with their head coaches will result in positive outcomes for both franchises.