Josh Kroenke, the vice chairman of the Denver Nuggets, recently spoke about the challenges faced by the team during the current season and his decision to make significant changes in its management. After a disappointing start, Kroenke reflected on the team’s performance around Thanksgiving, expressing concern that things were not progressing as hoped. His keen observations led to the very important decision to cut ties with head coach Michael Malone. … but they proved enough to cause a rift with general manager Calvin Booth.
They had to deal with extraordinary circumstances this season. Just one of their eight wins prior to the All-Star break came against a team headed for the postseason. That win came at the expense of the Orlando Magic, who as of this writing are the 7-seed in the East. This continued lack of success forced Kroenke to consider making a move even earlier in the season. Initially, he chose to be patient and allow the roster to marinate and develop chemistry.
“I was really feeling like things weren’t headed in the right direction,” Kroenke stated, emphasizing his growing concerns as the season progressed. He didn’t forget that the team had recently rattled off a remarkable eight-game winning streak. This success backed him off his initial zeal to start making changes this February. The more pernicious pattern of carelessness was painfully apparent all around.
Kroenke took time to address the speculation that he would veto any potential trade of Michael Porter Jr. because of his connection to Missouri. He called the allegations “completely false,” claiming that there has been no limitation on getting the team better. “I think that any kind of report saying that we’re not open to trading everybody possible to improve the team is completely false,” he noted.
As he looks ahead, Kroenke continues to own the blame for the direction his club has taken over the last year. At the same time, he’s mindful of how crucial player engagement is to some of these conversations as someone who must fiercely protect the team’s best interests. “You have a responsibility when you have a player like that, especially, obviously, in his prime,” he remarked regarding his obligations to star player Nikola Jokic. “I feel an even greater responsibility to the person. I’d be the dumbest guy in basketball if I wasn’t asking him for his opinion on certain things. And I’m gonna own that—I’m gonna make those decisions in the best interest of the organization. I think Jokic can appreciate and accept that, though.
As Kroenke prepares to begin the hunt for a new general manager and a new head coach, we’re counting that he, too, will begin this process after the season concludes. He has promoted Ben Tenzer to interim GM for the playoff run. The rationale behind this decision is to inject some more energy into the team and get them back in a positive, competitive mindset ahead of the postseason slate.
Kroenke focused on what the team has accomplished in the past few years. He thinks these wins might have masked some front line flaws that plagued their play down the stretch. “I think that those eight games masked a trend that was going on behind closed doors that ultimately started to really affect the end of our season,” he explained.
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