Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone shook up the NBA world by publicly endorsing Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP, only to clarify his allegiance to Nikola Jokic, his former star player, during an ESPN analyst appearance. Affirming his unwavering support for Jokic, Malone sought to appease Denver fans who were left reeling by his initial remarks praising Gilgeous-Alexander's stellar performance. The unexpected proclamation came amidst a backdrop of Gilgeous-Alexander being crowned the league MVP, with Jokic settling for second place in the voting.
Malone's comments stirred controversy, with some viewing his praise for Gilgeous-Alexander as a veiled slight towards Jokic and the Nuggets, particularly following his abrupt dismissal from the team just before the regular season's end. Despite the noise and backlash, Malone made it clear that in his eyes, Jokic was the deserving MVP candidate this season, highlighting the Serbian's exceptional contributions that propelled the Nuggets into the playoffs. As the postseason unfolds and narratives unfold, Malone remains a vocal presence on ESPN's "NBA Countdown," shedding insight and perspective on the intense competition of the Western Conference finals.