The news of the death of Brendan Malone has taken to the entire NBA community media spaces. The former NBA coach will be remembered for his work in the league that lasted for 27 years. He has left a lasting legacy in the NBA for his son who is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets to continue.
The Denver Nuggets has joined thousands of sympathizers and well-wishers in the NBA world at large to pay tribute to Brendan Malone’s family as they release a club statement.
Brendan Malone dies at 81
The Denver Nuggets reported on Tuesday that Brendan Malone, who coached in the NBA for 27 years, has passed away at the age of 81.
The Denver Nuggets took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce the news of Brendan Malone’s passing:
“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of longtime NBA coach Brendan Malone, who holds a special place amongst the organization and will be a Denver Nugget forever.”
“Coach Brendan Malone was a great man who left behind a great legacy in the world of basketball, but he will be remembered even more for the amazing husband, father, son, and grandfather that he was and the profound impact he had on the friends, family, and colleagues who were lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts are with the entire Malone family and all of Brendan’s loved ones who are feeling this loss today.”, the statement further read.
Brendan Malone was posthumously honored with the National Basketball Coaches Association’s 2023 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, as recognized by the selection committee. Michael Malone expressed his gratitude, acknowledging his father’s profound influence on his own coaching career. The deceased who won 2 NBA titles with the Pistons, will have his legacy left with Michael Malone who looks to better his resume after guiding the Denver Nugget to their first championship in the 2022/2023 season.
Brendan Malone’s NBA coaching career
Brendan Malone left a lasting impression on the NBA with his successful 27-year coaching career. His career started in 1967 as a high school coach at Power Memorial Academy in New York City. He later moved to the collegiate level and worked as an assistant at Fordham, Yale, and Syracuse. He later took the head coaching role at Rhode Island.
The NBA, however, was where Malone had the greatest impact. He began his career in coaching in 1986 as an assistant for the New York Knicks, when he saw Mark Jackson’s Rookie of the Year season and helped the team break its postseason drought.
Malone’s actual recognition, however, came to light while he was a Detroit Pistons assistant during the team’s “Bad Boys” period. He was instrumental in devising the “Jordan Rules” to contain Michael Jordan, and the Pistons won two NBA titles during his tenure.
Malone further enriched his coaching legacy by working with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic. His contributions to the game earned him the 2023 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, recognizing his consistent and substantial influence on the NBA throughout his illustrious career.
The NBA will miss you legendary coach Malone.
