Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone raised various eyebrows earlier this week along with his lofty reward of Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however he needed to set the document straight with the town of Denver on Thursday evening.
Nikola Jokic, not Gilgeous-Alexander, was his choose for MVP this season.
“I did vote for him once more this yr, if I had a vote,” Malone, showing as a visitor analyst on ESPN earlier than Recreation 2 between the Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, stated of Jokic, his longtime former star. “Need to be sure that the individuals in Denver know that as a result of proper now, I am getting a number of warmth again house.”
Malone’s remarks got here shortly after Gilgeous-Alexander obtained the league MVP trophy from commissioner Adam Silver in a pregame ceremony at Paycom Middle. Gilgeous-Alexander was introduced because the winner Wednesday, with Jokic ending second.
Malone, who was fired by Denver days earlier than the tip of the common season following a 10-year run as head coach, drew the ire of Nuggets followers Tuesday evening when he stated Gilgeous-Alexander “confirmed why he is the MVP” in his 31-point efficiency within the Thunder’s dominant Recreation 1 victory over the Wolves.
The reward was interpreted by some as a refined shot at Jokic and the Nuggets following Malone’s shock firing.
Jokic, a three-time MVP, helped lead the Nuggets into the second spherical of the playoffs, the place they had been eradicated by Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder in seven video games.
Malone is engaged on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” pregame and halftime studio present throughout the Western Convention finals. He was not a part of the worldwide media panel of 100 voters who determined the MVP.
