Former Nuggets HC Michael Malone Calls SGA the NBA MVP over Jokic After Thunder Win

Nikola Jokić's former head coach apparently believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 2024-25 NBA MVP.

"Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he showed why he's MVP," Michael Malone said Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN's postgame coverage when discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder's 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

It does feel inevitable that SGA will eventually be given the MVP award this season, and he did take over the game in the second half following some early struggles.

In all, the Thunder leader finished with 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals while overwhelming the Minnesota defense with his ability to get to the free-throw line, unleash midrange jumpers, blow past defenders on his way to the rim and finish through contact.

He was also a willing facilitator when doubles came his way, which helped the Thunder seize control in the third quarter and never look back on the way to a 1-0 advantage in the series.

However, it is still going to turn heads that Malone was the one who said that.

After all, he coached Jokić on the Denver Nuggets for each of the big man's 10 seasons in the league until he was fired shortly before the playoffs. That means he was on the sideline when the seven-time All-Star took home three MVP awards during what is already shaping up to be an illustrious career.

Jokić figures to be SGA's biggest competition for the MVP award this season, and Malone notably stood on the table for his guy in March.

"Obviously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a great player, and if he wins his first MVP, he's deserving of that," Malone told reporters. "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."

Now that he has been fired by the Nuggets and was working in an analyst role, Malone took a different tune.

While all indications are Jokić didn't push for the coach's firing, ESPN's Shams Charania reported last month "he understood the organization's move."

With Malone no longer tied to the Nuggets, it seems like the former coach will also understand if and when SGA is the MVP over Jokić.