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David West rips Nuggets for firing Shaw: 'You can't win without grown-ups'

Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

David West was quick to defend Brian Shaw shortly after he learned the former Indiana Pacers assistant was fired from the Denver Nuggets

Shaw was relieved of his head-coaching duties Tuesday after a rather miserable near-two-year run with the organization. 

"That’s bullshit, man," Pacers power forward West said, according to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports. "That’s bullshit. (Denver's front office) never gave him a team. No grown-ups on the roster. You can't win without grown-ups."

There's some truth to West's harsh words, but Shaw brought a lot on himself and recent incidents made the Nuggets resemble more of a circus show than an NBA team. 

Shaw reportedly tried somewhat bizarre tactics in an attempt to better relate to his players and get the team back on track, but his ideas appear to have failed. He was fired ahead of the Nuggets' game against the Milwaukee Bucks and as the team, losers of six consecutive, is mired in a 2-19 stretch. 

The 48-year-old Shaw finishes his first head-coaching job and Nuggets tenure with a 56-85 record.

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