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Michael Malone’s Classy Message for Darvin Ham Led to Jokes From NBA Fans
Darvin Ham is reportedly in danger of losing his job as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after their season-ending loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. But at least one person believes Ham deserves to keep his job—and it's none other than his counterpart from the first round series, Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
Speaking to the media after the game, Malone heaped praise on Ham.
“I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach," Malone said. "That’s not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. He’s a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he’ll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be.”
Michael Malone: “I think Darvin Ham is a hell of a coach. That’s not an easy job. I think Darvin does it with class. He’s a good man, good coach, and I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he’ll be around there for a long time because he deserves to be.” pic.twitter.com/PJsDU6qfMF
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 30, 2024
Malone is pure class for making these comments, but NBA fans on X, formerly Twitter, didn't see it that way, instead opting to make jokes about why the Nuggets coach would be so willing to praise Ham.
He said this because he’s 11-1 against him
— E.P. the Dreamer (@EPtheDreamer) April 30, 2024
This fan quipped that Malone obviously wants Ham to keep his job, given the fact that the Nuggets have won 12 of their last 13 matchups against the Lakers and have eliminated them from postseason contention in each of the last two years.
Other fans took the joke and kept on running with it.
Dude trying to sabotage the lakers lmfaooooo
— Ellis Island 23 🏝️ (@3onEllis) April 30, 2024
Always in Lakers sabatage mode. You got it Mike.
— STΞY (@_CBLOC_) April 30, 2024
Dudes such a troll 😂
— sygmod.eth (@sygmod) April 30, 2024
Chess not checkers https://t.co/VP6UDZK1aD
— JJ Baccari (@JJBACCARI) April 30, 2024
Malone is smart, knows this man can sabotage his direct opponent from the inside. Clever 👍🏼 https://t.co/0RDEI2Exaw
— Jad Mbarak (@JadMbarak7) April 30, 2024
Never change, NBA Twitter.
The Nuggets will move on to the Western Conference semifinals, where they'll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will have to navigate an offseason where its coach—and best player, LeBron James—faces an uncertain future.
Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.