Michael Malone clarifies his comments about the MVP and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone surprised many with his praise for Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, Malone wanted to clarify his position to the Denver fans.
Malone, in a guest analyst appearance, made it clear that his choice for this season’s MVP was Nikola Jokic, not Gilgeous-Alexander.
I voted for him again this year, if I had a vote. I want to make sure people in Denver know that because I’m getting a lot of heat at home right now.
Michael Malone
Malone’s comments came shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander received the league’s Most Valuable Player trophy. Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as the winner, with Jokic in second place.
Malone, fired by the Nuggets days before the end of the regular season, sparked reactions among Nuggets fans when he said that Gilgeous-Alexander “showed why he is the MVP” after his outstanding performance in the first playoff game.
The praise was interpreted by some as an indirect jab at Jokic and the Nuggets after Malone’s unexpected departure.
Jokic, three-time MVP, led the Nuggets to the second round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated by Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.
Malone is working on the pre-game and halftime show “NBA Countdown” during the Western Conference Finals. He was not part of the voting panel that decided the MVP.
