Fired Nuggets coach turned ESPN commentator Michael Malone needed to make clear his feedback about Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
After an all-out efficiency in Recreation 1 by Shai, Malone was the reporter at OKC’s residence court docket and was crossed to.
He stated one thing that folks interpreted as dig on his former large man Jokic.
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he confirmed why he’s the MVP,” Malone stated.
The remark appeared to sting a bit extra, contemplating OKC have been the very staff that bested the Nuggets in a seven-game collection – a collection the place Jokic gave his absolute all.
Individuals additionally referenced Malone’s feedback he made again in March when he was nonetheless Denver’s head coach, since he appeared to have the alternative take.
“Clearly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a good participant, and if he wins his first MVP, he’s deserving of that,” Malone stated on March 11. “My factor is that this: In the event you didn’t know that Nikola received three MVPs, and I put Participant A and Participant B on paper … the man that was averaging a triple-double, the man that’s top-three within the three main statistical classes, issues that nobody has ever performed, he wins the MVP 10 instances out of 10.”
On the panel earlier than Recreation 2, Malone clarified the feedback he made the sport earlier than whereas backing in Jokic.
“I did vote for (Nikola Jokic) once more this 12 months if I had a vote for MVP.”
“I wish to be sure the individuals in Denver know that as a result of proper now I’m getting a variety of warmth again residence.”
Though SGA did have a tremendous season, Jokic utterly excelled. Some put SGA profitable the celebrated award over Jokic all the way down to voter’s fatigue, as it will have been Nikola’s fourth MVP.
Let’s check out the large man’s achievement’s in 2024-25:
-Profession-high in PTS-Profession-high in AST-Profession-high in STL-Profession-high in 3P%-First ever to complete high 3 in PPG, RPG, APG, SPG-Most TD’s in a season by center-Third participant in historical past to common a TD
READ MORE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Speaks About Becoming a member of KD & Russ as OKC MVPs
