Lights, Camera, Action! David Adelman’s Audition for a Head Coaching Role
Coach Adelman has been a serious candidate for several NBA head coaching jobs, now it’s his time to shine.
Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth were both dismissed on April 8, 2025. The firing of Booth wasn’t as much of a shock, considering the rosters that have been assembled since the championship season.
Michael Malone’s firing marks the 3rd head coach who was dismissed this season, following Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins. The Nuggets are currently 47-23, in 4th place in the western conference, and can clinch a playoff spot any day now.
Lead assistant David Adelman will take the helms going into the playoffs. Coach Adelman had been Malone’s right hand since 2022 after Jordi Fernández had departed for Sacramento. The Nuggets later won their first championship in 2023 and were ranked the 4th best offense overall.
Since winning the championship, Adelman has been a key candidate for several head coaching jobs around the league, but obviously hasn’t landed one yet. We never know the exact reasons why a coach is never hired or fired for that matter, however Adelman’s lack of experience as a head coach can be considered, along with his unknown defensive philosophy. He’s known for being an offensive minded coach, best taught by his mentor and father, Rick Adelman, the legendary NBA head coach who coached the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
David’s offense strongly was influenced by Rick’s “corner offense”, which has been I implemented everywhere David has been so far in his career. Being Denver’s offensive coordinator, we’re not exactly sure how he runs his defense, but we’re about to find out.
“I really think he’s the guy who’s going to be the next head coach because he has that head for a head coach,” Nikola Jokic said of Adelman. “He is thinking in front, he knows answers, and he reads and reacts.”
Firing your head coach close to the playoffs is rarely a good idea, but with Jenkins and Malone leading their teams to high placements in the standings, winning isn’t not the only thing a coach needs to be safe in their positions. Keeping the locker room engaged and happy is one of the most important factors and Adelman is a well respected coach within the organization and around the league.
With the exception of short term substitution for Malone during games or previously during the Covid quarantine procedures, Coach Adelman hasn’t had his opportunity to be the head of the table. With the playoffs around the corner, Adelman will have his chance to prove to both his own team and teams around the league that he’s ready to step up.