Brendan Malone, a legendary figure in the NBA coaching world, passed away at the age of 81, as announced by the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Malone, who is also the father of Nuggets coach Michael Malone, had an illustrious career spanning 27 years in the NBA. He served as the first head coach of the Toronto Raptors and held assistant coaching positions with several teams, including the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic.
The Denver Nuggets expressed their deep sadness over Malone’s passing and acknowledged his significant contributions to the organization. They described him as a remarkable man who left behind an extraordinary legacy in the basketball world. However, Malone’s impact extended far beyond his coaching career. He was cherished for being an exceptional husband, father, son, and grandfather, leaving a profound influence on those fortunate enough to know him.
Brendan Malone’s coaching journey began in 1967 at Power Memorial Academy in New York City, where he coached at the high school level. He then transitioned to the collegiate ranks, serving as an assistant at Fordham, Yale, and Syracuse before becoming the head coach at Rhode Island. In 1986, Malone joined the New York Knicks as an assistant coach, marking his entry into the NBA.
Malone’s most successful stint came during his time with the Detroit Pistons from 1988 to 1995. As an assistant coach, he played a crucial role in guiding the Pistons to two NBA championships. Throughout his career, Malone’s teams made 20 playoff appearances and reached the finals four times. His overall coaching record stands at an impressive 1,165-1,001.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions as an assistant coach, Malone was honored with the 2023 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award by the National Basketball Coaches Association in July.
While Malone’s tenure as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors was relatively short-lived, his impact as an assistant coach was far more significant. He was part of Chuck Daly’s coaching staff during the Pistons’ back-to-back championship victories. Malone later joined Jeff Van Gundy’s staff during the New York Knicks’ successful runs in the late 1990s. He also worked alongside Stan Van Gundy in both Orlando and Detroit.
Malone was renowned for his defensive expertise and played a pivotal role in devising strategies to contain basketball legend Michael Jordan in the late 1980s. Although his time as the head coach of the Raptors was marked by clashes with former star player Isiah Thomas, Malone led the expansion team to an unexpected 21-win season. Additionally, he coached Damon Stoudamire during his Rookie of the Year campaign.
Malone’s teachings, particularly in the realm of defense, have had a lasting impact on numerous teams throughout the years. Notably, his son Michael Malone achieved great success as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, culminating in an NBA title win this past season.
Brendan Malone’s passing is a significant loss for the basketball community. His coaching legacy will continue to inspire future generations of coaches and players alike. His contributions to the game, both on and off the court, will forever be remembered and cherished.
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