“F**k Being Up 20”: Denver Nuggets HC Michael Malone Visibly Flustered During Press Conference

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Michael Malone became irritated when asked about the Denver Nuggets’ Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and their 20-point lead. The defeat ended their attempt to defend their NBA title in the second round.

Despite recovering home court, the Denver Nuggets were defeated 98-90 by the Wolves on Sunday, ending the series in seven games and failing to pull off an incredible 0-2 comeback. Michael Malone, the Nuggets’ coach, was clearly upset over his team’s defeat and took offense when a reporter questioned him about his team’s sizable lead in the series finale.

“Next question man. The season is over, that’s what’s hard. F**k being up 20. The season is over, you don’t understand that. The season is over, it’s hard. Stupid ass questions.”, Michael Malone said.

In this series, the Nuggets could not score more than 100 points against a struggling Wolves team, losing 98-90. The Wolves’ improved defensive pressure forced the Nuggets to make a mistake, allowing them to take control of the game despite their offensive problems.

Micah Nori and Chris Finch outcoached Michael Malone in this series, especially regarding defensive tactics. The Nuggets’ offense hasn’t struggled like this in the previous five seasons, but the Timberwolves figured out their strategy

Malone acknowledged the Timberwolves’ whole credit for winning the series by outplaying his team, even if he was uncomfortable at the news conference when asked about his team’s deficiencies in the defeat.

Malone would not explain, although he pointed out that his squad was tired more than the other teams because of their championship run the previous year.

“I’m not an excuse maker. The better team won. I’m taking nothing away from Minnesota. When you look at the fact from all the teams that are still playing, we played until June last year.”, Michael Malone said.

The obstacles he listed for the Nuggets’ defeat are the same as those needed to win the same championship twice. The Nuggets’ postseason odyssey ended abruptly in the second round despite their early season status as favorites.