New Nuggets coach Michael Malone was determined to surpass Doug Moe's record during his debut season.

As the Denver Nuggets head coach, Michael Malone couldn't help but notice the banner hanging above him in the arena. It represented the ambitious goal he had set for himself when he first arrived in the city. The coach from Queens was determined to make a name for himself in this new place.

Looking up at the rafters, Malone couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and determination. He saw the names of all the great players and coaches who had come before him, and among them was the number 432 – the number of wins that had been achieved by Doug Moe, the most successful coach in Nuggets history. And as a highly competitive person, Malone couldn't help but think to himself, "I'm going to break that record. I'm going to break it."

But for 10 long years, that record loomed over Malone, seeming almost impossible to reach in the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA. However, during a game against the Lakers, Malone finally surpassed Moe's record with a resounding 127-102 victory. As he looked up at the rafters that night, he no longer saw 432 staring back at him. Instead, he saw a banner of his own, a symbol of his accomplishment and a reminder of what he had worked so hard to achieve.

"When I first arrived here, I knew that job security was not something that came easily in the coaching profession," Malone reflected. "My father, who was also a coach, even tried to talk me out of pursuing this career. But I'm a passionate person, and I have a strong desire to win. That drive has been with me from the beginning, and it will continue to be there for a long time."

This wasn't Malone's first time as a head coach. His previous stint in Sacramento had ended abruptly, and even his father – a highly successful coach who had worked in the NBA for many years – had only lasted one season in his only head coaching job. So when Malone first joined the Nuggets in 2015, there was little reason to believe that he would eventually become the winningest coach in franchise history. But that didn't stop him from envisioning it from day one.

"If someone had told me at the start that I would eventually break the record for most wins with this franchise, how would I have responded?" Malone chuckled. "I would have said, 'Damn right!' That's just the kind of person I am."

Now, Malone is the fourth-longest tenured coach in the league, behind legends like Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, and Steve Kerr. With a total of 473 wins between his time in Sacramento and Denver, he currently ranks 43rd in NBA history and is the eighth-winningest active coach.

But for Malone, it's not just about the numbers or the records. It's about the journey he's taken with this team and this city. When he first arrived, he never would have imagined that he would have the opportunity to become the winningest coach in franchise history, or that he would be able to watch his daughters grow up in this city and call it home.

"I am so grateful for the support and belief that the organization, the front office, and the ownership have shown me over the past 10 years," Malone expressed. "It's not something I take lightly, especially considering the volatility of this profession. But this place has become home, and I couldn't ask for a better position with better people and a better city. We truly love it here."

However, as any great coach knows, there's no time to rest on your laurels. Just when Malone thought he could finally bask in his achievement, his team suffered a crushing defeat, giving up 145 points in a single game. In his postgame conference, Malone didn't hold back, passionately calling out his team's lack of effort and reminding them that the franchise record was not what they should be focusing on. It was back to business as usual for the coach who is known for keeping his players accountable and pushing them to be the best they can be.

But through all of the ups and downs, one thing remains certain – Michael Malone has left an indelible mark on the Denver Nuggets and their history. And as he continues to lead this team with his competitive spirit and unwavering determination, there's no telling what other records he might shatter in the years to come.

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