According to The Athletic, players on the Nuggets began to lose trust in head coach Michael Malone after he extended special treatment to Russell Westbrook, a decision that raised concerns within the team.
Despite Westbrook’s high-profile career and Hall of Fame status, his behavior, both on and off the court, became a point of frustration for many teammates.
Malone’s ongoing support of Westbrook, even in the face of that frustration, eroded his credibility with some of the team’s key players.
While Malone had shown a certain degree of leniency with stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, many felt it was one thing to afford those players special treatment due to their significance to the team.
However, Westbrook’s situation was different, and some players felt that his elevated status was being treated as a reason to overlook issues that would not have been tolerated from other players.
This dynamic ultimately led to a loss of faith in Malone’s leadership and his decision-making process.
Players on the Nuggets began to lose faith in Michael Malone after he gave Russell Westbrook special treatment, per @TheAthletic
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 10, 2025
“…All the while, Malone’s choice to continue supporting Westbrook — despite the frustration he was causing on and off the floor — ultimately led to… pic.twitter.com/h8VJAytEmp
