Fired Nuggets coach Michael Malone is set to join ESPN’s broadcast team for the Western Conference finals. Malone, who was unexpectedly dismissed by the Denver Nuggets with just three games left in the regular season, will contribute to “NBA Countdown” during the pregame and halftime segments. He will be on-site with the regular ESPN crew, including Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith, and Shams Charania.
This marks Malone’s first involvement with the NBA since his firing. The Nuggets promoted assistant David Adelman to interim head coach, who led the team to a competitive seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
Malone, 53, brings extensive coaching experience to the broadcast, having compiled a 471-327 record over 10 seasons with the Nuggets, including a .590 winning percentage and an NBA championship in the 2022-23 season. His familiarity with both the Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, whom the Nuggets faced in recent playoff series, will provide valuable insights.
Despite mixed results against the Thunder during his coaching career, Malone’s success with the Nuggets and his deep understanding of the league make him a strong candidate for future head-coaching positions. His role with ESPN not only offers him a platform to share his expertise but also an opportunity to showcase his coaching acumen to teams in need of a new leader.