The Nuggets are starting the season with heavy hearts.

Brendan Malone, father of Nuggets coach Michael Malone died at 81, the team announced Tuesday.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of longtime NBA coach Brendan Malone, who holds a special place amongst the organization and will be a Denver Nugget forever,” the team’s statement read. “Coach Brendan Malone was a great man who left behind a great legacy

in the world of basketball, but he will be remembered even more for the amazing husband, father, son and grandfather that he was and the profound impact he had on the friends, family and colleagues who were lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts are with the entire Malone family and all of Brendan’s loved ones who are feeling this loss today.”

After starting as a junior varsity coach, Brendan Malone rose through the prep and college ranks before starting his NBA career as an assistant with the Knicks. From there, he helped the Detroit Pistons win a pair of titles in their “Bad Boy” era. He’s credited with at least partial responsibility for creating the “Jordan Rules,” a strategy to defend Michael Jordan. His first NBA head coaching gig came during Toronto’s first season in 1995.

“The Toronto Raptors organization is saddened by the passing of Brendan Malone, who served as our head coach during the team’s inaugural season in 199596, winning a special place in our history and our hearts,” Toronto’s statement read. “His contributions to the game will forever be remember, and we offer our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

After Toronto, Brendan Malone returned to the Knicks as an assistant and continued his career with the Pacers, Cavaliers, Magic and one last stint with the Pistons that ended in 2016. After hanging up his whistle, Brendan Malone continued to help his son on his coaching journey. Brendan Malone never wanted his son to enter the profession, but the two communicated regularly during Denver’s championship run last season.

“I am a coach’s son,” Michael Malone said during the postseason.

This summer, Brendan Malone was honored with the Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award. Michael Malone accepted the award on his father’s behalf in Las Vegas.

Michael Malone is not with the Nuggets for their preseason opener Tuesday in Phoenix. Assistant David Adelman will act as coach against the Suns.