Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone made headlines this week as he tapped Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the rightful MVP. All over social media, fans have expressed shock at the comments, and some even came to Jokic's defense, like former head coach George Karl, who went viral for a recent statement on X.

Nikola Jokić didn't mince words when asked if his Denver Nuggets could still win a title with the core from its 2023 championship team.

For the second straight season, Nikola Jokić's eternally resilient Denver Nuggets took a Western Conference heavyweight to seven games in the second round. And for the second straight season, Jokić's Nuggets ultimately fell short for the same reason.

Jokić played the entire second half as Denver rode it stars. But fatigue was evident as OKC rallied for the pivotal Game 5 win.

After lobbying for Nikola Jokić to win MVP in March, the former Denver Nuggets head coach has changed his mind.

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is now on ESPN and he called Shai Gilgeous-Alexander NBA MVP and not Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets did their best to push the Thunder in Game 7, but their loss highlights issues around Nikola Jokić

"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.