Nuggets locker room ‘In a healthy place’ as David Adelman preps team for Clippers

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets locker room was broken as recently as two weeks ago, which is what prompted giant changes, where they fired Michael Malone, the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, and told general manager Calvin Booth.

But a band-aid is in place at Ball Arena, with Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman speaking about the vibe shift within the Nuggets just 24 hours ahead of Game 1 of the first round.

“I think the locker room right now is in a really healthy place because of the guys in that locker room,” said Adelman. “When you go through a lot, sometimes, I think we all know this. In life, you go through complications; sometimes you come out the other side as a better person, and as a team, that can happen, too. I don’t know what that’s going to mean tomorrow. All I can tell you is the guys in there are in a really good place. They like being around each other, and they’re excited for the challenge.”

It’s the Nuggets’ seventh-straight season in the playoffs, but first with a new coach at the helm. While the pressure still exists for Nikola Jokic and the crew, some believe it’s off, given the coaching change. Adelman still feels the pressure, too, coaching for his first real opportunity to lead in the NBA.

But it’s not really what the Nuggets are thinking about. Adelman has led a pack of Nuggets who have all dispelled the notion that the team is still thinking about the changes in leadership. They’ve all re-centered their focus on the Clippers and the playoffs.

“And I told them after this, and I really mean it. We all know this. Even for you guys, play 82 games, coach, 82 games. Cover 82 games, it’s time like this is where it’s at, and this is where you want to be. And we earned it,” Adelman said. “And I’m really excited for the opportunity to be in this environment with hopefully a crazed fan base, so I’m really excited.”