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Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone talked a lot of smack after his team won a championship, but now he’s singing a different tune.
Malone is catching heat from fans across the NBA after he rudely dismissed a question from a reporter following his team’s 98-90 loss the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals.
(Video contains foul language)
this is the biggest loser response I have ever seen from a coach.
Mike Malone went on a “ I told you so” tour all last year (which he deserved)
But now asking how your team blew a 20 point lead in a game 7 at home is a dumb question???— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) May 20, 2024
“How hard is it to absorb a loss like this after going ahead by 20,” a reporter asked Malone in the postgame press conference.
“Next question, man. The season’s over. That’s what’s hard. F— being up by 20. The season’s over. You don’t understand that. The season’s over. It’s hard. Stupid a– question.”
It was not, in fact, a stupid a– question.
The Nuggets were in complete control of the game for the first 24 minutes before letting it slip through their fingers. That alone makes the loss tougher to swallow.
Fans didn’t appreciate Malone’s dismissal of a very valid question.
Your team blows a 20 point lead in the 2nd half and it’s stupid when a reporter asks you about it!?
Maybe I shouldn’t, but I expect more professionalism from a head coach. https://t.co/t3LbezwHo6
— Vashti (@mzcarolinablitz) May 20, 2024
Mike Malone is a clown. Dude knows how hard it is to win it all and does it last year. Sometimes it goes the other way. Most of the time it does, for most people. Have some respect and don't be a sore loser when your team choked a Game 7 away. And don't take it out on a reporter. https://t.co/lbl7PdfmMh
— James (@flashfire34) May 20, 2024
The thing that gets me is how unnecessary the response is.
You won a title while the big market loving media was trying to credit the altitude and telling you to treat wins as losses. This is still a stick it to them response when you’ve already done that. https://t.co/XH3OZ26H87
— KawhiLegion (@KawhiLegion) May 20, 2024
Michael Malone Talked A Lot Of Smack After Nuggets Championship
Malone is one of the best coaches in the NBA today. He’s succeeded with multiple teams and took Denver to the peak of the sport a year ago.
But he also made sure to let everyone know how great and he his team were after doing so.
“Is Brucey B going anywhere? Hell no! We’re running this s— back! … Get loud,” he said to fans at last year’s championship parade.
Of course, Bruce Brown did then leave in free agency. Denver general manager Calvin Booth proceeded to s— talk Brown on his way out the door as well.
Now the Nuggets are dealing with a second-round exit and Malone wants to be rude and whiny about it?
That’s not cool.
Disappointment and frustration with the end of a season is reasonable. But petulance isn’t. And it’s not a good look for Malone or the Nuggets organization.