The Denver Nuggets gave Mike D’Antoni his first NBA head-coaching job.
D’Antoni joined Denver as director of player personnel during the 1997–98 season. The following year, he became the Nuggets’ head coach during the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season.
His first NBA head-coaching tenure was brief, but it began a long professional coaching career. D’Antoni later worked with the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Europe and coaching Benetton Treviso.
D’Antoni became best known in the NBA for leading the Phoenix Suns. His Suns teams used fast tempo, spacing, and frequent three-point attempts, an approach often called “Seven Seconds or Less.” He later coached the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers.