Just weeks after being unceremoniously fired by the Denver Nuggets, former head coach Michael Malone has landed squarely back in the spotlight — this time, behind a microphone. ESPN has announced Malone as a guest analyst for the Western Conference Finals, a move that’s sending shockwaves through the NBA fanbase, especially in Denver.
The announcement came mere days after Malone was let go with only three games remaining in the regular season, a decision that already had Nuggets fans divided. But now, his quick reappearance on national television — commenting on the very playoff race his former team is now absent from — is being seen by many as “tone-deaf” and even “disrespectful.”
“This is a slap in the face to Nuggets Nation,” one fan posted on X. “He just got dumped and now he’s acting like he’s above it all?”
Others were more measured, praising Malone’s deep basketball IQ and suggesting the move is a smart play by ESPN to boost viewership. Still, the optics have fueled speculation that Malone may have had his next move lined up even before the firing.
“This wasn’t a rebound — it was a pivot,” said one NBA insider. “Malone saw the writing on the wall and was ready.”
Malone, for his part, addressed the drama lightly during his first ESPN segment, saying, “I may not be on the bench, but I still live and breathe this game. And yes, I’ve got thoughts.”
Whether fans view him as a victim of front-office politics or a calculated opportunist, one thing’s clear: Michael Malone isn’t fading quietly into the background. And his presence on ESPN is keeping both his voice — and the controversy — very much alive.
