The firing of Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown initially left Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone stunned, as it did much of the NBA community. Brown, who had led the Kings to their first postseason appearance in 17 years and earned NBA Coach of the Year honors, seemed an unlikely candidate for dismissal. However, upon further reflection, Malone found the situation all too familiar, given his own history with the Kings organization.
“At first, I was really shocked and surprised,” Malone told reporters on Friday. “And then I caught myself and said, ‘Why am I shocked and surprised?’ For two reasons. One, because as an NBA head coach, you’re always going to get the blame. When they win, it’s about Sabonis and Fox. When they lose, it’s about Mike Brown. That’s just the way it works.”
Malone didn’t stop there. He then took aim at Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, delivering a sharp critique rooted in his own experiences with the organization.
“And two, because of who he works for,” Malone continued. “So I’m not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person. And what really pissed me off about it was the lack of respect in how it was handled. They lost last night, their fifth game in a row. They have practice this morning, Mike does his post-media availability, and then he’s driving to the airport to fly to L.A. And they call him on the phone to fire him. No class. No guts. That’s what I’ll say about that.”
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A Pattern of Impatience
Malone’s frustration stems from his own brief tenure with the Kings. He was the first head coach hired by Ranadivé in 2013, tasked with turning around a struggling franchise. However, despite showing promise and fostering growth in young players, Malone was dismissed less than two seasons into his tenure—a decision that many at the time criticized as hasty and indicative of organizational dysfunction.
Ranadivé has since built a reputation for having little patience with his head coaches. Brown is just the latest in a long line of Kings coaches dismissed under his ownership, despite achieving significant milestones with the team.
A Tale of Two Coaches
Unlike his stint in Sacramento, Malone found stability and success after being hired by the Denver Nuggets in 2015. The organization afforded him time to develop a cohesive system, build around franchise centerpiece Nikola Joki?, and foster a winning culture. Under Malone’s leadership, the Nuggets have enjoyed seven consecutive playoff appearances, culminating in an NBA championship in 2023.
Similarly, Mike Brown’s coaching pedigree and recent success with the Kings suggest that he, too, is likely to find another opportunity soon. Brown previously won an NBA championship as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and has a history of turning struggling teams into contenders.
A Familiar Critique
Malone’s comments reflect broader criticisms of the Kings organization under Ranadivé’s ownership. Despite boasting talented rosters at various points, the team has been plagued by instability and questionable decision-making, particularly when it comes to leadership. Critics argue that this lack of continuity has stymied the franchise’s ability to build sustained success.
Moving Forward
The Kings now face yet another coaching search, with assistant coach Doug Christie stepping in as interim head coach. Meanwhile, Brown is expected to attract interest from multiple teams seeking a proven leader to guide their rosters.
For Malone, the situation underscores a stark contrast between the Kings’ revolving door of coaches and the stability he has enjoyed in Denver.
As he reflected on his former team’s decision, Malone made it clear that respect and patience are crucial components of a successful organization—qualities he believes Sacramento continues to lack.
