Given Malone's background as one of the architects of perennial top MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, this entire TV appearance turned some heads around the NBA world. And it's the Nuggets who took the brunt of the damage.

The former Nuggets head coach raised some eyebrows with comments he made Tuesday night during his debut as an ESPN analyst.

"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.

Michael Malone was fired just before the end of the regular season, and it sounds like his handling of Russell Westbrook may have been the problem.

Malone joined ESPN's broadcast crew covering the NBA's conference finals action this postseason. That'd be awesome for him if he weren't hoping to be still coaching at this point. The Nuggets unceremoniously fired Malone with just three games left in the regular season before Denver headed into the playoffs.

Denver Nuggets fans are upset with former head coach Michael Malone after his comments went viral following Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA rumors suggest Russell Westbrook is once again being scapegoated for Michael Malone’s firing from the Denver Nuggets.

Michael Malone isn't the Denver Nuggets coach anymore, but he's still going to make an appearance at the Western Conference finals. Malone is joining the ESPN broadcasting team for the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the network announced Monday.