Nuggets head coach Michael Malone wasted no time. Defends former Kings head coach Mike Brown And crushing the Kings management in the process.
On Friday, the Kings fired Brown, who started 13-18 and recently lost five straight games.
Malone, the former Kings coach, said he was not surprised by the move given how the organization operates.
“Why am I shocked and surprised? [I’m not] For two reasons.” Malone told reporters.. “One, because as a head coach in the NBA, ultimately you're responsible. If they win, this is what's going to happen. [Domantas] with sabonis [De’Aaron] Fox, if you lose, it's going to Mike Brown. That's how it works. And the second is who he works for. ”
Malone concluded his thoughts by saying: “No class, no balls. I'm going to say that.”
Prior to joining the Nuggets as head coach in 2015, Malone coached the Kings for just over one season, but was fired midway through the 2014-15 season.
Brown was waived by Sacramento on Thursday after a disappointing loss to the Detroit Pistons in which they trailed by 10 points with three minutes left in the game.
Sacramento's losing streak is the longest since Brown took over as coach.
The Kings currently sit in 12th place in the Western Conference, out of playoff contention.
Just two seasons ago, Brown played a huge role in helping Sacramento break a 16-year playoff drought.
Brown won his first NBA Coach of the Year Award after the Kings finished third in the Western Conference with a 48-34 record in 2022-23.
This is Brown's second time receiving the honor, having first won the Coach of the Year award after leading the Cavaliers to 66 wins in the 2008-09 season.
Kings assistant coach Doug Christie will reportedly serve as interim head coach for now, as a permanent replacement has not yet been announced.
