Michael Malone Sets the Record Straight on 2025 MVP Debate: Still Team Jokić All the Way
Let’s be real—Michael Malone wasn’t about to let a soundbite get in the way of his loyalty to Nikola Jokić.
It was a moment of clarity, not confusion, on Thursday night when the former Denver Nuggets head coach, now doing analysis with ESPN, took a beat during the NBA playoff pregame coverage in Oklahoma City to make one thing loud and clear: If he had a vote for MVP this season, it would’ve gone to the Joker. No hesitation.
“I’m Getting Heat Back Home”
The candid admission came with a bit of hometown pressure. "Nikola [Jokić] won the first of his three MVPs, and I did vote for him again this year if I had a vote," Malone explained on air. "Want to make sure the people in Denver know that because right now, I'm getting a lot of heat back home."
Denver, he hears you.
The city that watched Jokić blossom into a transcendent basketball unicorn was quick to question Malone’s recent comments about Oklahoma City's rising superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. When Malone casually mentioned Shai as the consensus MVP in an earlier segment, the Jokic faithful felt a bit betrayed.
And hey, Nuggets Nation doesn’t play around when it comes to defending their guy.
Wait, Did He Just Endorse SGA?
Malone’s comments about Gilgeous-Alexander set off a mini storm. He didn’t say anything crazy—just that SGA was the "consensus" MVP. But in the fast-moving, hyper-opinionated world of NBA talk, even the hint of jumping ship can spark wildfire reactions.
Let’s put it into context: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a phenomenal season. His poise, playmaking, and leadership helped guide the Oklahoma City Thunder to one of their best seasons in years. The guy’s got skills—no denying it.
But Jokić? The Serbian sensation continues to operate on a different wavelength. He’s not just good; he’s otherworldly. So when Malone appeared to be cozying up to SGA in his commentary, Denver fans were like, “Hold up—what’s happening here?!”
Malone’s Loyalty Runs Deep
Malone, who coached Jokić for eight years and helped lead the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2023, isn’t about to forget the loyalty and brilliance that came with coaching the big man.
"Let’s get this straight—I’m still riding with my guy,” Malone seemed to suggest, using his ESPN spotlight to squash any lingering doubts.
It’s not the first time Malone has used his platform to praise Jokić either. Even when they were together on the sidelines, Malone consistently called Jokić the smartest player he’s ever coached—highlighting not just his stats, but his vision, unselfishness, and calm command of the court.
Jokić’s MVP Legacy
Look, let’s run the resume real quick:
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Three-time NBA MVP (and counting?)
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NBA Champion
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NBA Finals MVP
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The only player in modern history to average a triple-double as a center across an entire playoff run.
Jokić’s game might not scream "flash," but his impact is undeniable. He doesn’t need crazy crossovers or highlight dunks—he just outthinks, outpositions, and outpasses everyone in his way.
So, it’s not surprising that Malone would still cast his (hypothetical) MVP vote in Jokić’s direction.
The Bigger Picture: A Changing MVP Landscape
Now, don’t get it twisted—this isn’t about hating on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The guy is elite. A smooth scorer with a fearless approach, and he’s leading a young Thunder squad that’s looking like the next Western Conference juggernaut.
But this MVP race? It’s not just stats and storylines. It’s emotion. It’s about loyalty. It’s about the narrative people want to buy into.
Malone’s clarification underscores that even though he’s not on the Denver sideline anymore, he’s still fiercely loyal to the culture he helped build.
And it also reminds us that the MVP conversation isn’t always black and white. Sometimes, it’s about context—what a player means to a city, a team, a fanbase.
Coaches and Commentary: The Double-Edged Sword
Now that Malone is on the other side of the mic, he’s finding out how tricky that transition can be. As a coach, your words are sacred—measured, deliberate, often protected by media staff. But on TV? Every phrase is up for debate.
Malone, one of the league’s more passionate sideline generals, is now in a role where every sentence is instantly dissected and reacted to in real-time. His shoutout to SGA might’ve just been professional praise—but the ripple effect reached all the way back to the Mile High City.
In a way, that speaks to how strong his connection still is with Denver. It’s a bond that doesn’t disappear just because the job title changes.
Nuggets Fans Demand Respect—And Rightfully So
Denver has long felt underappreciated on the national NBA stage. Even during their title run, some media narratives seemed to downplay the dominance of Jokić and the Nuggets. That’s why any perceived slight—especially from someone inside the family—hits a little harder.
Malone’s clarification isn’t just damage control. It’s a recognition of how much pride, passion, and protectiveness Nuggets fans have for their franchise player.
Final Word: No Love Lost, Just Misunderstood
Michael Malone didn’t flip-flop. He didn’t betray anyone. He just took a moment to celebrate another rising star, and maybe didn’t choose his words perfectly.
But make no mistake: When it comes to handing out the 2025 MVP, he’s still placing the crown on Jokić’s head—if he had a vote, of course.
So Nuggets fans, breathe easy. The Joker still has a loyal ally in Malone. And in a season full of headlines, rivalries, and superstar drama, it’s good to know some loyalties are still rock solid.
And who knows? Maybe next season we’ll get a Jokić vs. SGA showdown in the Western Conference Finals. Now that would be one for the books.
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