Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Former Nuggets Coach Betrays Nikola Jokic, Picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as MVP of This Season

Irony is Malone had a difference stance before leaving the Nuggets this season.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma Thunder take an opening lead in the Western Conference Finals after a 26-poit blowout victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the game, former Denver Nuggets coach, Michael Malone made a statement on Shai Gilgeous Alexander, who is frontrunner to win the NBA MVP honor of the season.

Michael Malone, the former Denver Nuggets head coach, recently joined the NBA Countdown team for the Western Conference Finals. He appeared on ESPN to analyze the Thunder’s win and he picked his MVP player for the season between Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Nikola Jokic.

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Michael Malone Calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Real MVP of This Season

Malone claimed during the post-game analysis that performance in Game 1 on Wednesday showed the world why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to win the MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, nine assists and 5 rebounds. He managed just 11 points in the first half but looked improved in the second half.

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he showed why he’s the MVP,” Malone said. “He took over in the second half and did so in a very efficient manner.”

Michael Malone:

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed why he’s the MVP.” 😬

(h/t @F0RGIAT0)pic.twitter.com/TGZjVhlv6A
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 21, 2025

Malone’s MVP comment will surely hurt the Nuggets’ fan as he previously coached Nikola Jokic and helped Denver to win their first-ever NBA championship. Nikola Jokic is competing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the MVP award. Gilgeous-Alexander ended the regular season on top of the MVP ladder.

Irony is Malone had a difference stance before leaving the Nuggets this season. The former coach acknowledged that Jokic deserves the MVP this season. He changed his stance after taking a new role on ESPN.

“Obviously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a great player, and if he wins his first MVP, he’s deserving of that. My thing is this: If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs, and I put Player A and Player B on paper … the guy that was averaging a triple-double, the guy that is top-three in the three major statistical categories, things that no one has ever done, he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10. And if you don’t think so, I think you guys are all bulls–ting,” Malone said earlier in the regular season.

Michael Malone in March on Nikola Jokic, based on his stats this year: "He wins the MVP 10 times out of 10. And if you don't think so, you guys are all full of (bleep)."

Michael Malone tonight on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: "Showed why he’s the MVP."

I wonder what changed.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) May 21, 2025

It was obvious that Malone picked his guy in Denver and no one wants to hide this face. Now, he has a neutral stance and he picks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the MVP honor. The Thunder star has been terrific and led his side to the Western Conference Finals after long time.

Also Read: NBA Playoffs Props for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic

Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous Alexander

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.