Just before the start of the highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets made a surprising move by parting ways with their championship-winning head coach, Mike Malone. This decision sent shockwaves through the league, but Malone quickly landed on his feet, taking a job with ESPN as a commentator.
On his very first day in this new role, Malone didn’t hold back, and he stirred up quite a discussion regarding the MVP race. Fans have been buzzing about the competition between Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. In what many viewed as a bold statement, Malone declared, “Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], he showed why he’s the MVP,” leaving fans and analysts alike buzzing with excitement and speculation.
It’s important to note that while this may not appear to be the most contentious of remarks, given Malone’s recent departure from the Nuggets, fans couldn’t help but wonder if there lurked a hint of spite behind his words. One user took to X (formerly Twitter), suggesting, “He HATES the Nuggets & Jokic now,” while another humorously mused, “Mike Malone hopping on ESPN right after the team that fired him got booted from the playoffs is the level of petty we should all strive for.”
This playful banter among fans showcases the intense emotions the NBA can evoke. When Malone had staunchly backed Jokic just two months prior, calling him the deserving MVP, his recent comments felt like a sharp turn. As another fan pointed out, “With all due respect to Mike Malone, the real MVP is the reason why you weren’t a TV analyst sooner,” highlighting that for some, his credibility had taken a hit.
Malone didn’t stop there; he even praised the Oklahoma City Thunder, saying they had the best fans in the NBA. This assertion stung a bit more for Nugget supporters, with reactions pouring in. One fan commented, “Michael Malone calling the Thunder fans the ‘best fans in the NBA’ stung a little more than I thought it would.”
Nevertheless, he did acknowledge his successor, interim coach David Adelman, for leading the Nuggets to a challenging seven-game series against the Thunder. “David Adelman did a hell of a job utilizing a zone defense,” Malone admitted, which could be interpreted as a hint of his competitive spirit still aimed at supporting his former team’s achievements.
As for the MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander has certainly made a compelling case, averaging an impressive 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game this season. But let’s not forget Jokic, whose incredible capability to record a triple-double with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists is hard to overlook, especially considering he’s gunning for an unprecedented fourth MVP title in five years.
In this environment of heated debates, it’s evident that emotions run high, whether you’re rooting for the Nuggets, the Thunder, or any team in between. This ongoing drama showcases the passion of basketball fans and reminds us all how the game we love can spark conversations that go far beyond the court.
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