Nuggets head coach Michael Malone wasted no time in defending former Kings head coach Mike Brown and shredding Kings management in the process.
On Friday, the Kings dismissed Brown after a 13-18 start and a recent five-game losing streak.
Malone, a former Kings coach, said he was not surprised by the move based on how he believes the organization operates.
“Why am I shocked and surprised? [I’m not] for two reasons,” Malone told reporters. “One, because as an NBA head coach, ultimately, you’re gonna get the blame. When they win, it’s gonna go to [Domantas] Sabonis and [De’Aaron] Fox, and when you lose, it’s gonna go to Mike Brown. That’s the way it works. And two, who he works for.”
Malone wrapped up his thoughts by saying, “No class, no balls. That’s what I’ll say about that.”
Prior to joining the Nuggets as head coach in 2015, Malone coached the Kings for slightly over a season, getting fired mid-year during the 2014-15 campaign.
Brown was dismissed from Sacramento after a brutal loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday where they squandered a 10-point lead with just three minutes left in the game.
Sacramento’s ongoing losing streak is their longest skid since Brown took over coaching duties.
The Kings currently sit in 12th place and outside of playoff contention in the Western Conference.
Just two seasons ago, Brown played a big part in Sacramento snapping their 16-year playoff drought.
Brown became the first unanimous NBA Coach of the Year award winner after the Kings finished third in the Western Conference with a 48-34 record during the 2022-23 season.
This marked Brown’s second time receiving the honors, winning his first Coach of the Year award after leading the Cavaliers to 66 wins during the 2008-09 season.
Kings assistant coach Doug Christie will reportedly take over as the interim head coach for the time being, as a permanent replacement has yet to be announced.
