The Post Malone Nuggets rocked, given the context.
But does that mean that Michael Malone can’t coach? Hardly.
He won more games with the Nuggets over 10 years than anyone in franchise history. He served as the stern father, nurturing the development of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. His abrasive style eventually wore thin — the kids were grown up with kids of their own and no longer needed browbeating and grievances aired in press conferences.
But with a fresh start and lessons learned — ditch the paranoia, stay out of office power struggles — there is no better free agent.
Would it be weird in New York? Sort of. The same complaints about Tom Thibodeau have dogged Malone. He plays his starters too much, including in routs, and is slow to trust his bench. But Malone brings an edge and competitiveness that translates to players, and he is adept at dealing with the media.
Like Malone, Tom Thibodeau deserved better. He inherited a red-faced franchise, took it to the playoffs four times in five years, and received a pink slip. The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals before the Pacers eliminated them.
Whether because of friction created by assistant coach Rick Brunson, star player Jalen Brunson’s dad, or team president Leon Rose believing he could not push this team across the finish line, Thibodeau was canned.
The Knicks are in championship-or-bust mode, operating like the Yankees overnight. And for all the similarities between Thibodeau and Malone, there is one huge difference: Malone has a ring. He led the Nuggets to their only title two years ago.
Could he do it again, returning to his eastern roots as a high school graduate of Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J.? Unlikely. But leading the team to the Finals is not an unreasonable request.
Rose had to have someone in mind before making the unpopular decision to fire Thibs. He is expected to interview Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. But no one is more qualified to lead the Knicks than someone who was a former New York assistant. Malone’s career, post-Nuggets, should resume in The Garden.
Dad Deion: Deion Sanders must stop creating distractions for son Shedeur Sanders. During a recent appearance on the “Say What Needs to Be Said” podcast, Coach Prime labeled reports that Shedeur was unprofessional in pre-draft meetings with teams “foolish.” The problem is, he wasn’t there. Therein lies the solution. Disappear into the shrubbery.
Shedeur doesn’t need his dad in his life this way. Not anymore. He has a realistic path to start — especially if the Browns cut Kenny Pickett in camp — and is getting rave reviews for his early work. Dad needs to leave Cleveland decision-makers alone in public and behind the scenes, and trust that his son will earn the spot. He has the talent to pull it off.
Seeing Stars: Well, the Avs received some good news Friday without making a move. The Stars fired coach Peter DeBoer, who has owned his counterpart Jared Bednar in the playoffs. When it comes to the Avs, not having to face him can only help. As an aside, it’s a tough year for pro coaches losing in the conference finals (see Thibs and DeBoer).
SEC Not A-OK: The SEC boasted the No. 1 overall postseason seed in men’s basketball, softball and baseball and none made the championship game. Is it time for a new slogan? The SEC: It Just Means Less.
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