Top News: David Adelman’s attentive ears and Nikola Jokic’s voice have led the Nuggets to… more information
Top News: David Adelman’s attentive ears and Nikola Jokic’s voice have led the Nuggets to… more information
In the high-stakes world of the NBA Playoffs, it’s often the unseen intangiblestrust, communication, and leadership—that separate champions from contenders. For the Denver Nuggets, those intangibles have come to life in the form of head coach David Adelman’s attentive approach and superstar Nikola Jokić’s evolving vocal leadership. Together, this unexpected duo has revitalized a team that appeared to be on the brink, helping force a decisive Game 7 in their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When David Adelman took over as interim head coach following Michael Malone’s surprise dismissal last month, questions loomed about his readiness to lead a championship-caliber roster. A longtime assistant, Adelman had always been known for his basketball intellect—but stepping into the top job amid a tense playoff run was a different challenge altogether.
Sometimes the best coaching move is to listen to your best players,” Adelman said after the Game 6 win. “When you have someone like Nikola, who sees the floor like a coach and feels the game deeply, you have to trust that.
That trust has paid off in dividends. Rather than micromanage, Adelman has empowered his players, especially Jokić, to take a more active role in game planning and in-game adjustments.
Jokić has never been known as a loud, rah-rah leader. His genius has always been quiet, cerebral, and deliberate. But in this playoff run, something has changed. The Serbian big man is using his voice as much as his hands, orchestrating the offense vocally, huddling with teammates after timeouts, and even helping correct defensive assignments mid-play.
I’m trying to help in any way I can,” Jokić said following the Game 6 win in Denver. “Sometimes that’s with a pass, sometimes with a shot—but sometimes it’s with my voice. I think we all trust each other more now.
That voice has become so essential that Adelman, joking after Game 5, said, “If Nikola wants to coach the team—go for it.” While he said it with a grin, the sentiment underscored the deep mutual respect between coach and player.
Game 5 was a gut punch for Denver. Despite Jokić’s 44-point, 15-rebound masterpiece, the Nuggets squandered a nine-point fourth-quarter lead and lost to a surging Thunder team. Doubts about fatigue, depth, and leadership emerged—but so did resolve.
In Game 6, the Nuggets responded like champions. With Jokić contributing 29 points and 14 rebounds and Jamal Murray—playing through illness—adding 25 points, Denver roared back with a 119-107 victory to force a Game 7. Rookie Julian Strawther stepped up with a playoff career-high 15 points off the bench, showcasing the team’s growing confidence and unity.
Much of this resilience can be traced back to the Adelman-Jokić partnership. Where others might panic or splinter under pressure, the Nuggets have leaned into a collaborative ethos: player-led, coach-supported.
Now, the Nuggets face a winner-take-all Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but this team feels different—not just because of talent, but because of tone.
Everybody’s voice matters,” Adelman said. “That’s the culture we’re building here. Nikola leads us with his game and his words. I’m just here to listen, support, and guide when needed.
With Adelman’s humility and Jokić’s newfound vocal presence, Denver enters the final battle of the series as a team in sync—guided by mutual respect, sharp basketball minds, and a shared belief that unity wins championships.
And if they do, the story of the 2025 Nuggets may well be remembered as the season when listening became their greatest strength.
