While the Nuggets are examining David Adelman closely, Adelman is trying to stay focused on examining the Clippers.<\/p>\n
The subtext of this playoff series is inescapable. The individual stakes<\/a> are undeniable. Adelman is finishing out the season as interim head coach of the Nuggets, and after that, his role with the team is up in the air<\/a>. Will the Kroenkes decide<\/a> he is the man to replace Michael Malone<\/a> full-time, or will he have to venture elsewhere for his first head coaching gig?<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to think I\u2019m lying, but I haven\u2019t thought about that,\u201d Adelman said Wednesday when asked if he feels like the playoffs are an audition. \u201cThis thing has happened so fast, and my No. 1 concern was getting this team, this group of people (into) the playoffs. And I think you saw with the game last night with Golden State and Memphis \u2014 pretty paramount not to be in that game. I mean, that game was absolutely crazy. And (Ja) Morant sprains his ankle. And Steph (Curry) was beat up. And Jimmy (Butler) is playing hurt. That\u2019s the thing about getting in and getting these days to get yourself right.\u201d<\/p>\n Adelman, 43, took over with a week left in the regular season and led the Nuggets into the playoffs on a three-game win streak. They secured the No. 4 seed and a first-round series against the Clippers in their final game, on a day they could have slipped as far as the Play-In Tournament and into Adelman\u2019s aforementioned Tuesday showdown between Golden State and Memphis. (The Warriors prevailed to earn the No. 7 seed.)<\/p>\n His point about health is relevant not just generically, but to the Nuggets specifically. Jamal Murray missed six games late in the regular season with a hamstring injury, coinciding with the team\u2019s four-game skid that ended in Michael Malone\u2019s firing<\/a>. The star point guard was able to suit up for Denver\u2019s last two games, but he averaged only 15.5 points on 39.3% shooting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know what Jamal is in the playoffs. He\u2019s one of the all-time greats. \u2026 Very excited to get him back out there healthy,\u201d Adelman said after the Nuggets practiced at Ball Arena. \u201cAnd it\u2019s been great to see him the last two days, the way he\u2019s moving. Because that\u2019s what we need if we\u2019re going to win four games in a series.\u201d<\/p>\n The Nuggets will host Los Angeles for Game 1 on Saturday (1:30 p.m. MT) at Ball Arena. It\u2019ll be Adelman\u2019s first playoff game as an NBA head coach, interim or otherwise. His own high school basketball coach was in the gym Wednesday to take in the scene, as Adelman led a practice that would have been someone else\u2019s to lead just eight days earlier.<\/p>\n