"Now we understand why Jokic fired Michael Malone": Social media on fire as ex-Nuggets coach calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MVP

The Denver Nuggets fired Michael Malone in early April after the team lost four straight games. The losing streak was the final straw in Malone’s tenure with the Nuggets, whom he guided to the 2023 NBA championship. The title-winning coach now works for ESPN as part of the crew covering the Western Conference finals.

Malone didn’t hold back when asked how the OKC Thunder rallied to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 on Tuesday. He said Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “showed the world why he’s the MVP.”

Fans promptly reacted to his comment.

“Now we understand why Jokic fired Michael Malone,” one said.

Another fan said:

“Crazy considering the actual MVP is the reason he got 10 years of paychecks.”

"Bitter ex syndrome," another said.

Here are other fan reactions.

"Switching up on the player who made your career he’s nothing without Jokic I’m praying on his downfall," one said.

"HE KNOWS JOKIC IS OVERWEIGHT," another commented

"Jokic made his career lol," another said.

Michael Malone's comments on Tuesday created a buzz since he coached the Denver Nuggets for all but four games of the 2023-24 regular season.

Over the past five years, he consistently praised Nikola Jokic, Denver’s franchise cornerstone, as the best player in the NBA. Many believe Malone would not have declared Gilgeous-Alexander the MVP had he not been dismissed by the team.

Last season, Jokic edged Gilgeous-Alexander for the league’s MVP award. This season, they’re again locked in a tight race for the honor. Malone gave his public endorsement Tuesday night on national television.

---

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dazzles in second half in front of ex-Nuggets coach Michael Malone

The OKC Thunder trailed 48-44 at halftime against the Timberwolves in Game 1. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had a slow start, came alive in the third quarter to help his team seize control of the game.

SGA scored 10 points and added three assists in the third frame, while also contributing defensively as the Thunder held Minnesota to just 18 points in the period. Malone, who would have been gameplanning against Gilgeous-Alexander if still coaching Denver, couldn’t help but be impressed by the star’s performance.

The Thunder's surge after halftime gave them a 76-66 lead entering the fourth quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander kept going, delivering eight points and two assists to push his team to a comfortable 114-88 win.