Michael Malone Sets Record Straight on MVP Choice After Controversial Comments

Denver, CO — Former coach Michael Malone clarified his stance on the NBA MVP race during an appearance on ESPN Thursday. After initially praising Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he insisted that if he had a vote, it would go to Nikola Jokic, his former star player.

Malone, who was recently let go from his position with the Denver Nuggets, is no stranger to discussing MVP candidates. In a segment before Game 2 between the Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, he stated, “I did vote for him again this year, if I had a vote,” addressing a potential backlash from Nuggets fans. He wanted to reassure Denver fans that his support remains with Jokic.

This clarification comes after Gilgeous-Alexander received the MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver just moments before Malone’s comments. While Gilgeous-Alexander earned the accolade for his outstanding season, Jokic finished as a runner-up.

The former Nuggets coach stirred controversy earlier this week when he commented on Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive 31-point performance in Game 1, calling it a display of why he deserved the MVP honor. Some interpreted Malone’s praise as a slight against Jokic, especially considering the circumstances of his recent firing from the Nuggets.

Jokic, a three-time MVP, had led Denver to the playoffs before they were eliminated by Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder in a hard-fought seven-game series. Malone is now contributing to ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” during the Western Conference Finals but was not among the 100 media members who voted for this year’s MVP.