Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets head coach laments 'nasty turn' of MVP race

By Dylan Williams | Last updated 3/23/23

As the 2022-23 NBA regular season winds down, the MVP conversation is heating up. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has led the race for most of the season, but the gap apparently has been closed by Philadelphia's Joel Embiid and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On Wednesday, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gave his thoughts about the MVP race and the conversation surrounding it.

"I think this year unfortunately has just taken a really ugly, nasty turn in the MVP conversation, and I think it's really turned a lot of people off, including [Jokic]," he told the media. "And what's happening is there's so many guys that could win MVP this year.

"Joel Embiid is a great candidate. Luka Doncic is a great candidate. Jayson Tatum — whoever you want to put in that mix, those are all deserving. But what happens in today's society — it's like when I was a college coach — all the negative recruiting, it's not promoting my guy, it's ripping down every other guy."

"Celebrate them!"

Michael Malone on MVP talk:

"This year has taken an ugly, nasty turn in the MVP conversation. And I think it's turned a lot of people off, including [Nikola Jokic]...

It's not promoting my guy, it's tearing down every other guy. And that's just ridiculous." pic.twitter.com/1dx6PUORNQ
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) March 23, 2023

Jokic, who has won the last two MVP Awards, has faced criticism from media surrounding his case for a third award following a slow March for the Nuggets.

Denver went through a four-game losing streak that included a loss to lowly San Antonio and a 21-point loss to Chicago. Meanwhile, Embiid took over as the favorite in the discussion as his 76ers won 10 of 12 games in March.

"As Adam Silver told us at the All-Star break, the game is in a great spot," Malone continued. "... We have great players. Celebrate them. Don't criticize, don't tear them down. Build them all up, and whoever wins it, good for them."

Jokic is averaging 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds and 9.9 assists, just short of a triple-double.

Sportswriters and broadcasters in the United States and Canada vote for the award, which will be announced shortly after the regular season.

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