Michael Malone has become a polarizing presence in Denver. On the one hand, he was the head coach of the first Nuggets team to ever win the NBA championship. On the other, he was fired with just weeks remaining in the regular season with no shortage of drama swirling around the franchise.

After a dominating second half in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder took a commanding lead in the Western Conference Finals on Thursday with newly named Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous Alexander at the help.

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

Game 1 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.They can also take a little extra joy in a comment former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone made on the broadcast about the NBA MVP race.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder rise to the occasion, and the reward is facing Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.

Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.