Nuggets coach flags urgency
Denver coach David Adelman publicly took responsibility for recent losses and warned the team needs to regain rhythm fast with the playoffs looming — a leadership move amid a late‑season hiccup for the defending champs report.
Adelman warned he “has to find a unit that’ll actually do it, compete at a higher level,” a blunt directive he delivered after the Timberwolves loss. (si.com) That downturn has been tangible: Denver lost eight of 12 games that left them 37-24 by March 2, and an overtime defeat to the Lakers on March 14 pushed the club to a 41-27 mark. (si.com) Health has complicated the reset — Jamal Murray exited with a left-ankle issue against New York on March 6, Aaron Gordon has missed time with a third hamstring setback this season, and Cameron Johnson has been managed for a bone bruise. (si.com) Adelman’s lineup tinkering shows why: one small-ball five (Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, Zeke Nnaji, Jonas Valanciunas) has played 42 minutes together and carries a -7.5 net rating with a 131.0 defensive rating. (si.com) The schedule offers little margin for error — Denver hosts Philadelphia on Mar. 17 and then plays Toronto (Mar. 20), Phoenix (Mar. 24) and Golden State (Mar. 29) in a stretch that will test those adjustments. (nba.com) Adelman’s sharp public message follows a season that already included his Dec. 20 ejection and a $35,000 fine from the league after the Rockets game, underscoring the high stakes of his leadership stance. (nba.com)
