Michael Malone Hired as Denver Nuggets’ New Head Coach: What Can Team Expect?

On Monday, the Denver Nuggets announced that they have found their new head coach in former Sacramento Kings coach, Michael Malone.

According to Yahoo Sports, Malone beat in-house Melvin Hunt, who was the team's interim coach, when Brian Shaw was fired on March 3.

"Michael's experiences throughout his basketball career have helped shape him into a coach and person that we believe can help take our organization to a special place in the future.  I want to personally thank Melvin Hunt and his family who have been the ultimate professionals throughout this entire process," team president Josh Kroenke said in a statement.

NBA.com said Malone is now the 16th head coach in Denver's franchise history in the NBA. He has more than 20 years of coaching experience with 14 of those at the NBA.

The team's general manager, Tim Connelly told NBA.com that he is excited to be reunited with Malone. "I've known him for years and our relationship predates our time in New Orleans. He knows the game as well as anybody and I have always admired his work ethic and character," he said.

For his part, Malone said that he is thankful to the Nuggets organization for the opportunity given to him.

"I'm thrilled to have been chosen as the next leader for the Denver Nuggets and I can't wait to get started. My family and I are looking forward to being a part of the Denver community," he said.

In December, it can be noted that the Kings let Malone go after about two seasons with the team. Prior to this, he was the lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2013. NBA.com said he also became associated with the New Orleans Hornets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Discussing the Nuggets' decision to choose Malone, Bleacher Report said he is a "principled coach" with a rigid structure that is expected to bring success to the team.

"Maybe that's what Denver has decided it needs: a coach who'll build a foundation, demand accountability and, ideally, create a winning culture. Maybe he got the job because the Nuggets are tired of being defined by chaos and want to see what order looks like," added the same report.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports also said that Malone will hopefully bring in something better for the team and become a great replacement for Shaw.

Connelly reportedly said that he is envisioning a coach with a "running philosophy" for the team.

"We're looking for a coach that understands how we've been successful in the past and how we'll be successful in the future, with fast basketball and playing with pace," Connelly earlier noted.

If this will be the basis, Malone surely has that kind of experience with him having assistant coaching jobs for other teams, especially for the Golden State Warriors.