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Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif
The off-season should tell us more about Michael Malone’s surprise dismissal ahead of the playoffs. What seems pretty clear from the coach’s latest statements is that it’s still a tough pill to swallow for him.
The Nuggets, because they have Nikola Jokic on their roster, have to be ambitious and aim for the title every season. This has obviously been the case in recent weeks, which makes the owners’ decision even crazier. Just a few days before the start of the playoffs, they decided to fire Michael Malone, who had been on the bench for 10 years.
The good news for Malone is that it didn’t take him long to get back into the game. He hasn’t taken over a bench in the hope of landing a second ring, but has instead committed himself to a consulting role on ESPN. This Tuesday, he was in Oklahoma to follow the first game of the conference finals between the Thunder and the Timberwolves.
Michael Malone angry at Nikola Jokic ?
He was inevitably impressed by the home team’s display and wide-open 114-88 victory, and in fact emphasized it after the final buzzer. In particular, the former Nuggets coach complimented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his 31 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, with words that could be perceived as tackles in the Joker’s direction:
"[Shai] showed why he's the MVP."
— Underdog (@Underdog) May 21, 2025
Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, calls SGA the MVP 👀 pic.twitter.com/v8J4m4QOil
Shai showed why he’s the MVP
Michael Malone spent a good part of the season with Nikola Jokic, saw him turn in an average triple-double, and knows just how unbalanced the Nuggets’ roster was. If there’s one man who knows the value and importance of the Joker, it’s him. And yet, this Tuesday, he clearly gave his vote to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who can be considered a rival.
On social networks, many see these words as a direct attack on a player who didn’t necessarily fight to keep his job. Such is the case, for example, of the renowned Kevin O’Connor, one of the most respected analysts in the game:
It’s impossible to see this statement as anything other than a tackle on Jokic.
