Putting a strong coaching staff in place is the best thing that the New Orleans Pelicans can learn from the Denver Nuggets
The biggest reason that the Denver Nuggets are so deep in the playoffs now is because of the underrated consistency of their head coach Mike Malone. The Denver Nuggets made one of their best moves in taking advantage of the Sacramento Kings’ ineptitude by hiring the just fired Malone back in 2015.
Since his hiring, Mike Malone is consistently fostering player-development and growing a contender. A big part of the culture Malone is building involves having a strong staff alongside him. Take a look at lead assistant Wes Unseld Jr., he’s a defensive wizard and a major reason for the adjustments Denver made to come back from being down 3-1 twice this postseason.
This is what the New Orleans Pelicans need to help their young core leap into contention, and they only have one shot to do it before risking their core’s future. If you listen to David Griffin, the Pelicans think they already have an excellent lead assistant in Chris Finch and now it’s time for the Pelicans to add a strong head coach to the team.
With an elite coaching staff in place, the Pelicans will set themselves up for an era of consistent growth and success just like Denver is.
The techniques I identified are ones that the New Orleans Pelicans can easily replicate. These organizational traits just take time and effort to develop. We’re watching now what one of the best small-market organizations did come to fruition and if the Pelicans want to make that leap too then they should follow Denver’s blueprint.