‘Inside the NBA’ Crew Mocks Shaq Over Nuggets Coach David Adelman Ignorance
The Denver Nuggets were a significant topic on Emegypt’s Inside the NBA owing to their upcoming matchup with the Golden State Warriors. During the preview, Shaquille O’Neal faced some light-hearted mockery regarding his knowledge of new Nuggets head coach David Adelman.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Misstep
As a graphic showcasing the Nuggets’ offseason changes was displayed, O’Neal began discussing each player listed. When it came to David Adelman, O’Neal mistakenly treated him as a new player rather than the team’s head coach. He stated that he was “not familiar” with Adelman, triggering a teasing response from his fellow analysts.
Colleagues’ Reactions
- Kenny Smith laughed and pointed out, “He’s a coach, man.”
- Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Smith joined in the laughter as O’Neal insisted he didn’t know who Adelman was.
- Shaq cheekily replied, “There’s 27 teams, I’m not memorizing 27 coaches,” failing to recognize the NBA has 30 teams.
David Adelman’s Background
Adelman was appointed the interim head coach of the Nuggets after the sudden dismissal of Mike Malone late in the 2024-25 season. Following this, he was confirmed as the full-time head coach during the recent offseason.
- David Adelman is the son of Rick Adelman, a veteran NBA coach who had a 23-season career.
- Rick coached teams including the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Conclusion
Despite his strong basketball background, Shaquille O’Neal’s ignorance of David Adelman’s role led to a humorous exchange among the Inside the NBA crew. This light-hearted moment highlighted the importance of keeping up with the league’s developments, especially ahead of a new season.
