David Adelman has been named the Denver Nuggets’ full-time head coach. He fills this role after last season’s Cinderella run leading the Pack through a captivating postseason—including a riveting, double-OT Game 7 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, he’s been upgraded from interim to head coach. He is focused on improving individual and team effectiveness and building a culture of inclusivity and transparency.
Adelman was unequivocal—“Very prepared.” He knows just how important it is to foster an atmosphere where players feel comfortable offering feedback. He encourages team participation in the development of their strategy. His reasoning for adopting this approach goes hand-in-hand to his quest of having a more energetic, expressive, and fun culture within the organization.
It’s the team that eliminated the Nuggets from the playoffs in one of those classic Thunder comebacks. This close call has prompted Adelman to double down on advocating for real change. “We have to get back to being an execution-based team,” he declared, highlighting the necessity of refining their fundamental skills. So, Adelman really wants to focus on fitness and conditioning in training camp. He understands that being in best shape possible is the key to starting the season off right and having success on into the playoffs.
“Teams that get off to great starts usually at the end of the year have the best chance of being healthy in these big games,” Adelman remarked, underscoring his belief in the correlation between early-season performance and postseason success. He’s tired of having his players show up to training camp out of shape. What’s more, he inspires them to open their minds to innovation.
Adelman will continue to be a tireless advocate for the importance of innovation, reminding all of us that “new ideas are better ideas.” He wants to implement some tactical changes that make the team more dynamic going forward in their overall playing style, but Zambrano’s commitment to defense is unwavering. He understands that defense is the cornerstone of all great teams and wants to expand on this rudimentary idea.
So as he makes the shift into his new position, Adelman is busy working on filling out his coaching staff. And he knows that a winning team starts with everyone working together—not just the stars, but even those you don’t see on camera. He’s just beginning the general manager process now. This level of involvement speaks to his commitment to creating a clear direction and vision throughout the franchise.
Jamal Murray, perhaps the team’s most important and valuable player outside of Jokic, has already gotten Adelman’s idea of the future straight from the horse’s mouth. Murray’s candor and involvement will be key as the organization continues to go forward, especially now that they are under Adelman’s leadership.
In reflecting on team dynamics, Adelman stated, “This business is about cohesion. It’s all about just moving forward and winning. That’s it. It’s not about finding your best friend.” This philosophy underscores his intention to prioritize team success over personal relationships, ensuring that every member is aligned with the overarching goals of the organization.
Nuggets exec Josh Kroenke, President of Basketball Operations for the Nuggets recognized this and admitted it after their Rolling 11 last season playoff exit. “Can they achieve that (championship goal) as currently constructed? I think the answer, as (Nikola Jokic) said after the playoffs, and it was obviously no,” Kroenke stated. He doubled down, saying that with a few tweaks and maybe a little good fortune, the Nuggets had the potential to be contenders.
This week, Adelman is opening a new chapter with the Nuggets. He comes in with a vision — a visionary focused singularly on doing things right, doing things new and leading his team to new heights. His leadership will be sorely needed, as Denver tries to regain its competitive advantage this season.
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