The latest head on the chopping block has proved to be Michael Malone. After a poor run of form that saw them lose 4 on the bounce, the Nuggets put out a press notice publicizing the end of his 10-year tenure. It turns out that it’s tied for the latest coaching change in NBA history, per ESPN Research, matching Hubie Brown in 1980-81. Fans do ponder about their decision, but- he’s been replaced by their assistant coach, David Adelman.

Despite never being in the top job of an NBA team, Adelman comes in with a wealth of experience as an assistant manager. But the connection to the Association runs deep in the family. So let’s take a look at his profile, into aspects like his childhood, family, and upbringing.

Who is David Adelman, successor of Michael Malone?

David Adelman was born on May 15, 1981, in Salem, Oregon. He is one of six siblings, all children of Mary Kay and Rick Adelman. You know, THE Rick Adelman? The former point guard who coached for 23 seasons in the NBA for the likes of the Warriors, Blazers, and Rockets? That pedigree is often hard to come by. It was Rick’s tenure as the Portland manager that exposed a young David to the NBA. He even served as a ball boy for them during this period.

“Growing up around my Dad… I think I would have gravitated toward doing something group-centric with a common goal,” said David. This speaks volumes of what we can expect with him at the Nuggets’ helm. They’ve been praying for a bigger team effort rather than relying on Nikola Jokic to weave his magic want every game. This might be proof of the future.

Not just through Rick, but David is connected to the basketball scene in multiple ways. He might not have played at a collegiate level; although  he did attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, winning a state championship as a player in 1999. But his siblings are helping establish the Adelman dynasty in the scene. Sister Kathy Adelman is a highly regarded girls’ high school basketball coach in Oregon, while Pat Adelman coached Lincoln High School’s boys’ team to the Oregon Class 6A semifinals in 2018. Brother RJ Adelman also worked as an NBA scout and video coordinator, before tragically dying in a 2018 car accident.

David does have a wife, Jenny, with whom they share two kids- L.J. & Lennan Marie. But their public information is limited due to their preference of privacy.

But as mentioned earlier, he’s not the greenie everyone thinks he is. His work in the NBA stretches all the way back to 2002.

A deepdive into David Adelman’s coaching career at the NBA

Despite not being in the top job even once, his work as an assistant manager deserves it’s own catalogue. He’s known for his attacking philosophy, with plaudits from current players like Jokic. ““I really think he’s the guy who’s going to be the next head coach because he has that head for a head coach…He is thinking in front, he knows answers, and he reads and reacts.”

He started his coaching career immediately after graduating from high school, as a volunteer assistant at Jesuit. He eventually became head coach of Lincoln High School in 2006, where he boasted a record of 83-53. Oh, and he won three Portland Interscholastic League titles and a state championship appearance in 2009, which earned him PIL Coach of the Year honors three times.

Now onto the NBA. His first shot in the majors came as a player development coach at the Timberwolves under his father’s tenure in 2011. His value was seen by the management for sure, considering that he was kept on despite his father retiring in 2014. David even became their summer league manager in under Flip Saunders.

It was then a year-long stint as the assistant to Frank Vogel at Orlando Magic that brought him to the Nuggets in 2017, where’s he’d been the assistant since. His work in their offensive output, including the development of Nikola Jokic, has been surreal. They’re hoping the remaining regular season games can help his philosophy of adaptability and open communication can help bring the Nuggets their second NBA ring.

Will this move pay off? One can never tell. Wolves’ sacking of Taylor Jenkins might tell one side of the story. But the other side could be his already well-founded offensive tactics, which the Denver fans will be clinging onto with high hopes.