TITLE: Michael Malone Moves From Coaching Bench to ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” Desk
SLUG: michael-malone-joins-espn-nba-countdown
CONTENT:
Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is joining ESPN’s studio coverage, becoming the newest analyst on “NBA Countdown,” ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro announced Tuesday during the Front Office Sports Tuned In Summit, according to reporter Ben Axelrod.
Malone, 54, was dismissed by Denver late last season but quickly transitioned to television, appearing as a guest analyst throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs. His on-air stint included a headline-making moment when he praised Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the league’s Most Valuable Player, later clarifying his official ballot would have favored former pupil Nikola Jokić.
Although Malone was briefly linked to the New York Knicks’ coaching vacancy before the club hired Mike Brown, there are no current head-coaching openings. The longtime coach has opted to remain behind the microphone for the upcoming season.
Countdown lineup still taking shape
ESPN has not finalized its full “NBA Countdown” roster. Malika Andrews is expected to return as host, with Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers and Kendrick Perkins slated for ABC broadcasts. Last season’s ESPN studio group—Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, Richard Jefferson, Brian Windhorst and Tim Legler—may shuffle after Legler’s promotion to the network’s top game broadcast team alongside Jefferson. Malone is positioned to fill the vacancy created by that move.
Coaching résumé
Over 11 seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Nuggets, Malone compiled a 510-394 regular-season record and captured the 2023 NBA championship in Denver. Before becoming a head coach, he spent more than a decade as an assistant with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets and Golden State Warriors.
Malone will now bring those coaching insights to ESPN as the network refines its coverage for the 2024-25 campaign.
Source: Hoops Wire
