The Denver Nuggets officially introduced David Adelman as their new head coach, with owner Josh Kroenke heralding a new era. “It’s an exciting day for the Denver Nuggets,” Kroenke said, praising the team’s unity after a 50-32 season and a second-round playoff loss.

Adelman expressed deep gratitude, crediting mentors like Michael Malone and Flip Saunders. “You don’t get to sit in this seat next to Josh if those people don’t support you,” he said, feeling “extremely blessed” to lead one of the NBA’s 30 teams.

Player development is Adelman’s cornerstone. “It’s a big summer for us,” he stated, urging players to return “much better, stronger, more confident” to compete in the fierce Western Conference.

Adelman stressed building trust with players. “Confidence comes from trust, and I think that trust has to be found throughout the summer,” he said, emphasizing active engagement to define expectations.

He pinpointed playoff execution as a key focus. “Our execution has to get better,” Adelman noted, reflecting on the Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, aiming to prioritize precision over pace for May victories.

Defensively, Adelman plans innovation. “We have to be much more creative throughout the season,” he said, leveraging the team’s high-IQ players for varied defensive schemes to keep players healthier.

On roster depth, Adelman envisions competition. “There’s going to be spots open,” he declared, targeting a nine-to-ten-man rotation early to maintain flexibility and health.

Kroenke addressed championship goals, acknowledging roster gaps. “As Yoke said after the playoffs, obviously no,” he admitted, referencing Nikola Jokics view on the current squad’s limitations.

Adelman emphasized a process-driven approach. “It’s a step-by-step process,” he said, vowing to remind players of recent Game 7 heartbreaks to maintain professionalism all season.

He highlighted the need for clutch shooting. “It’s not just about making shots, it’s making shots in the moment,” Adelman said, praising Julian Strawther’s Game 6 heroics as a model.

Adelman sees the roster’s potential but demands growth. “How much better can this roster get? We’re more than capable of competing,” he said, urging players to maximize their skills this summer.

Kroenke affirmed the team’s culture. “Our culture is still there,” he said, confident in the locker room’s unity shown in the playoffs, including Aaron Gordon’s clutch Game 4 dunk against the Clippers.

Adelman trusts the players to lead. “This is their team,” he said, committed to guiding stars like Jokic, who finished second in MVP voting, toward surpassing rivals like the Thunder.

With training camp nearing, Adelman is eager for fresh ideas. “New ideas are good ideas,” he said, promising an exciting return for a team chasing another championship.