On the other hand, Malone is just a month and a half removed from coaching another superstar in Nikola Jokić, who has won three of the last four MVP awards and was in a close rac

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.

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he showed why he’s the MVP,” Malone, who will be featured on ESPN throughout the network’s coverage of the series, said after the game. “He took over in the second half. Did so in a very efficient manner, and he put the team on his back.”