CLEVELAND – The Quicken Loans arena hallways are familiar paths for Nuggets coach Michael Malone. He’s walked them many times as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers from 2005-10.
The greetings are always warm when he returns. Malone credits his time with the Cavaliers as being one of the real jump-starts to eventually becoming a head coach.
“It means a lot,” Malone said. “I had five great years here. During that five-year stretch we had great success –- best record in the NBA twice, went to the Finals. I was very fortunate to work for a head in Mike Brown that allowed me to coach and gave me a voice and gave me a platform.