Latest news with #MikeMalone
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ex-Nuggets coach Mike Malone says Nikola Jokić was his pick for MVP despite praise for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone said his MVP vote would have gone to Nikola Jokić, not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 'I did vote for him again this year — if I had a vote,' Malone said on ESPN before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. 'Want to make sure the people in Denver know that because, right now, I'm getting a lot of heat back home.' Advertisement Malone's comments Thursday night referenced some of his praise for Gilgeous-Alexander after the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 1 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Malone said, 'Gilgeous-Alexander, he showed why he's the MVP' after his 31-point, nine-assist performance in the 114-88 win. Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as the NBA's MVP the following night. Previously, Malone had been one of the most vocal supporters of Jokić, as he won the MVP Award in three of the last five seasons. Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander were considered the two leading MVP candidates this season, and despite the long list of achievements Jokić has piled up in recent years, many have argued he just finished his best individual season in 2024-25. In early March, less than a month before being fired, Malone told reporters a player with Jokić's resume 'wins the MVP 10 times out of 10.' Malone led Denver to its first NBA title in 2023 but was fired along with general manager Calvin Booth on April 8 after behind-the-scenes tensions between Malone and Booth boiled over. Malone was ousted with only three games left in the regular season, but Denver made it past the first round behind interim coach David Adelman, whom the Nuggets promoted to full-time head coach Thursday. Before Malone's firing, team and league sources indicated the team's most important players, including Jokić, had grown frustrated and fatigued by Malone's fiery ways. After Malone and Booth were fired, Jokić said he spoke with Nuggets team president Josh Kroenke about the Booth-Malone decision before it was revealed publicly. 'I'm not gonna say what Josh told me,' Jokić said in April. '(But) I mean, I knew a little bit before everybody, and he … told me, 'We made a decision.' So it was not a discussion. It was (their) decision. And, you know … he told me why (it was done). And so I listen and I accept it.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Did Mike Malone coldly cook Nikola Jokic with 'MVP' talk? Fans debate.
Some facts: Mike Malone used to be the head coach of the Denver Nuggets until he was shockingly fired by the franchise right before the NBA playoffs. He's now doing TV work for ESPN. And now we get to wondering about something he said on television on Tuesday: he was talking about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing well in a Game 1 Oklahoma City Thunder blowout of the Minnesota Timberwolves and remarked, "He showed why he's the MVP." Now, it could be Malone being honest about who should win NBA MVP. But the other candidate is the guy he was coaching just a few months ago in Nikola Jokic. Was that intentional? Especially given that he was just talking about Jokic being MVP while he was head coach? Fans wondered: Mike Malone 2 months ago: 'Jokic is the MVP'Mike Malone tonight: 'SGA is the MVP' 😭 — BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) May 21, 2025 "[Shai] showed why he's the MVP."Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, calls SGA the MVP 👀 — Underdog (@Underdog) May 21, 2025 Mike Malone on an all time petty tour — KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 21, 2025 Mike Malone just said SGA is the MVP He HATES the Nuggets & Jokic now 😂💀 — LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 21, 2025 Hmmm. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Mike Malone ripped Nikola Jokic with SGA MVP talk? NBA fans think so
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Did Mike Malone coldly cook Nikola Jokic with 'MVP' talk? Fans debate.
Did Mike Malone coldly cook Nikola Jokic with 'MVP' talk? Fans debate. Mike Malone 2 months ago: 'Jokic is the MVP' Mike Malone tonight: 'SGA is the MVP' 😭 — BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) May 21, 2025 Some facts: Mike Malone used to be the head coach of the Denver Nuggets until he was shockingly fired by the franchise right before the NBA playoffs. He's now doing TV work for ESPN. And now we get to wondering about something he said on television on Tuesday: he was talking about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing well in a Game 1 Oklahoma City Thunder blowout of the Minnesota Timberwolves and remarked, "He showed why he's the MVP." Now, it could be Malone being honest about who should win NBA MVP. But the other candidate is the guy he was coaching just a few months ago in Nikola Jokic. Was that intentional? Especially given that he was just talking about Jokic being MVP while he was head coach? Fans wondered: "[Shai] showed why he's the MVP." Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, calls SGA the MVP 👀 — Underdog (@Underdog) May 21, 2025 Mike Malone on an all time petty tour — KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 21, 2025 Mike Malone just said SGA is the MVP He HATES the Nuggets & Jokic now 😂💀 — LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 21, 2025 Hmmm.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets offseason outlook: Denver needs to act now to stop wasting Nikola Jokić's prime
NBA observers reacted harshly to the Nuggets' decision to let go of head coach Mike Malone with three games remaining in the season, primarily because such a path had never really been taken before. Sure, coaches have been fired late in seasons, but that's primarily been from teams that were going nowhere or in need of a fresh start. But these are the Nuggets. The team with the best player in the universe that won the title less than two years ago. How could such a decision make sense? Well, the Nuggets not only won a Game 7 against a very deep and potent Clippers team, they also took the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the second round, proving once and for all that we're all winging it in every walk of life, and perhaps a coaching change 79 games into the regular season actually made some semblance of sense. Who knew? That said, the organization has a list of to-do items heading into the offseason. The Nuggets also decided to move on from general manager Calvin Booth when parting with Malone, so replacing Booth is priority No. 1. Who is going to lead the org? We should find out soon enough, as you have to assume such a hire would be involved with the draft process and the start of free agency. And what about the coaching situation? With the way interim coach David Adelman has guided the Nuggets in the postseason, you would think he has the inside track. After that come the roster questions. It's time for Nikola Jokić to have an All-Star running mate, which he's never had before, and the team is painfully aware of it. Huge contracts are still on the books for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., so navigating those waters could prove complicated, unless one of them is relocated via trade. That presents its own set of challenges as Murray remains inconsistent, and Porter a potential liability due to three back surgeries, although he has proved to be plenty available in recent years, despite being bothered by a balky shoulder during the postseason. Whatever the course of action, everyone seems to be on the same page in regard to one overarching ideology: This team can't do nothing and think that's enough. This current iteration of the Denver Nuggets should be done for. Record: 50-32, fourth in the Western Conference. Lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the second round. The Aaron Gordon buzzer-beater dunk against the Clippers in Game 4 of the first round. Even after 50-plus viewings, his timing is simply remarkable. To jump at the right time and have the presence of mind to be aware of where the ball is in regard to the cylinder at that stage in the game ... just whoa. Nikola JokićJamal MurrayMichael Porter GordonZeke NnajiChristian BraunDaRon HolmesJulian StrawtherPeyton WatsonJalen PickettHunter Tyson DeAndre Jordan (UFA)Russell Westbrook (player option) $190,585,496 None Draft focus: Should the Nuggets trade into the draft, identifying a wing with ball-handling capabilities would be prudent. Given the current salary commitment, the team is expected to be over the first apron, and that's before Šarić likely opts in for over $5.4 million, which could bring Denver over the second apron. Essentially, the Nuggets don't have money, and any exception would be supremely difficult to fit into the current roster. However, if they do conduct several trades and take back less money, perhaps they can find enough room to spend a little. The goal remains the same, which is to win another title and not waste the prime of one of the best basketball players to ever take the court. The recipe to do that isn't straightforward, and the Nuggets' overall lack of attractive assets make any roster changes difficult. However, that is the goal in front of them, meaning their immediate need is a plan, which won't be developed until they've found someone to take over basketball operations. The Nuggets are short on time.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets offseason outlook: Denver needs to act now to stop wasting Nikola Jokić's prime
NBA observers reacted harshly to the Nuggets' decision to let go of head coach Mike Malone with three games remaining in the season, primarily because such a path had never really been taken before. Sure, coaches have been fired late in seasons, but that's primarily been from teams that were going nowhere or in need of a fresh start. Advertisement But these are the Nuggets. The team with the best player in the universe that won the title less than two years ago. How could such a decision make sense? Well, the Nuggets not only won a Game 7 against a very deep and potent Clippers team, they also took the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the second round, proving once and for all that we're all winging it in every walk of life, and perhaps a coaching change 79 games into the regular season actually made some semblance of sense. Who knew? That said, the organization has a list of to-do items heading into the offseason. The Nuggets also decided to move on from general manager Calvin Booth when parting with Malone, so replacing Booth is priority No. 1. Advertisement Who is going to lead the org? We should find out soon enough, as you have to assume such a hire would be involved with the draft process and the start of free agency. Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon watch the fourth quarter during the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 7 rout on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) (AAron Ontiveroz via Getty Images) And what about the coaching situation? With the way interim coach David Adelman has guided the Nuggets in the postseason, you would think he has the inside track. After that come the roster questions. It's time for Nikola Jokić to have an All-Star running mate, which he's never had before, and the team is painfully aware of it. Huge contracts are still on the books for Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., so navigating those waters could prove complicated, unless one of them is relocated via trade. Advertisement That presents its own set of challenges as Murray remains inconsistent, and Porter a potential liability due to three back surgeries, although he has proved to be plenty available in recent years despite being bothered by a balky shoulder during the postseason. Whatever the course of action, everyone seems to be on the same page in regard to one overarching ideology: This team can't do nothing and think that's enough. This current iteration of the Denver Nuggets should be done for. 2024-25 finish Record: 50-32, fourth in the Western Conference. Lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the second round. Highlight of the season The Aaron Gordon buzzer-beater dunk against the Clippers in Game 4 of the first round. Even after 50-plus viewings, his timing is simply remarkable. To jump at the right time and have the presence of mind to be aware of where the ball is in regard to the cylinder at that stage in the game ... just whoa. Players signed for next season Nikola Jokić Jamal Murray Michael Porter Jr. Aaron Gordon Zeke Nnaji Christian Braun DaRon Holmes Julian Strawther Peyton Watson Jalen Pickett Hunter Tyson Key free agents DeAndre Jordan (UFA) Russell Westbrook (player option) Projected salary $190,585,496 Draft picks None Advertisement Draft focus: Should the Nuggets trade into the draft, identifying a wing with ball-handling capabilities would be prudent. Given the current salary commitment, the team is expected to be over the first apron, and that's before Šarić likely opts in for over $5.4 million, which could bring Denver over the second apron. Essentially, the Nuggets don't have money, and any exception would be supremely difficult to fit into the current roster. However, if they do conduct several trades and take back less money, perhaps they can find enough room to spend a little. Needs and goals The goal remains the same, which is to win another title and not waste the prime of one of the best basketball players to ever take the court. The recipe to do that isn't straightforward, and the Nuggets' overall lack of attractive assets make any roster changes difficult. However, that is the goal in front of them, meaning their immediate need is a plan, which won't be developed until they've found someone to take over basketball operations. The Nuggets are short on time.
