Michael Malone Addresses Controversial Nikola Jokic MVP Comments
Michael Malone Addresses Controversial Nikola Jokic MVP Comments
Michael Malone, the former Denver Nuggets head coach who now works as an ESPN analyst, recently clarified his position on the 2025 NBA MVP race.
After making comments that appeared to favor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander following Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, Malone faced significant backlash from Denver fans.
The controversy began when Malone referred to Gilgeous-Alexander as “the MVP” during his post-game analysis. This comment stirred discontent among Nuggets supporters who interpreted it as a slight against Nikola Jokić, who finished second in the official MVP voting.
Prior to Game 2 of the Thunder-Timberwolves series, Malone addressed the situation directly on air. “I did vote for Nikola Jokić again this year, if I had a vote,” he stated. “I want to make sure the people in Denver know that. Because I’m getting a lot of heat back home.”
The timing of these comments was particularly sensitive given Malone’s dismissal from the Nuggets with just three games remaining in the regular season. Some fans speculated his remarks reflected lingering bitterness about his firing.
Gilgeous-Alexander narrowly edged out Jokić in the final MVP tally, though Jokić still garnered 29 first-place votes from the 100-member voting panel. The Serbian center has already claimed the prestigious award three times during his illustrious NBA career.
The context of the 2025 MVP race matters significantly:
| MVP Candidate | Team | Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | Winner |
| Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | Runner-up (29 first-place votes) |
Malone’s relationship with Jokić spans years of successful collaboration, including their championship run two seasons prior. This history makes the perceived slight seem particularly out of character, lending credibility to Malone’s clarification that he would have indeed voted for Jokić if given an official ballot.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
