DENVER — Shortly before David Fizdale coached his final game for the Knicks, Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone complimented him, praising him for how he was managing the team in a difficult position.
Now, facing the Knicks with Fizdale gone, Malone took the defense of the deposed coach.
“Well, they needed to make a change and they made the change they felt was appropriate,” said Malone, who was once an assistant with the Knicks, as was his father, long-time NBA coach Brendan Malone. “Obviously, there has been so much written and talked about since David has been fired.