Longtime NBA Assistant Popeye Jones Fills In As Nuggets Coach – Houston Chronicle

“Also, in my hometown of Dresden, Tenn., I have to say — I don’t want get too emotional, three weeks ago, there was a tornado that came through there, basically tore my whole town up, surrounding towns also, and my university, Murray State, was destroyed. A lot of lives were lost, really tragic events. So I want those people from where I’m from to know I’m thinking of them as well.”

Jones, who was the Rockets’ second-round pick in 1992 but never played for the Rockets, learned he would be coaching the Nuggets on Friday.

“Coach Malone texted me and then he gave me a call,” Jones, who is in his 11th season in coaching but first with the Nuggets, said. “‘I got confidence in you, be yourself, you’re a positive guy. You played. You know what you’re doing.’ That was good for him. I told the team this morning, the culture that coach Malone, the staff, you guys have built here is really strong. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Jones said he sought to collaborate on plans with Malone and Adelman but Malone said he “did not want to micromanage.”

“He said, ‘I’m in Denver, I’ll be watching, basically, good luck, but if you need anything, you know where I’m at,’” Jones said.

Jones has worked for Rick Carlisle with the Mavericks, Avery Johnson with the Nets, Frank Vogel and Nate McMillan with the Pacers and Doc Rivers with the 76ers. He said he has never taken over before though P.J. Carlesimo delegated a great deal of authority when he was with the Nets.

“I’ve learned from a lot of good coaches,” Jones said. “It’s crazy how you get an opportunity to do it. Always wanted to do it. Yeah, I’ve been an assistant for a long time, but I know I can be a head coach in this league and l can lead a team.”