Even Michael Malone Couldn’t Save NBA Countdown as Calls Mount Against ESPN During WCF

Michael Malone may have delivered Denver its only NBA championship and won more games than anyone in Nuggets history, but not even he could rescue ESPN’s NBA Countdown from the firing squad that is NBA Twitter. The ex-Nuggets coach made his debut as a studio analyst during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Thunder — a game that’s already got more brickwork than a New York housing project — but fans didn’t come for the hardwood drama. They came for ESPN’s pregame show. And they came with pitchforks.

Game 1 tipped off with Minnesota looking like they had indeed been rusty. The Timberwolves went 8-for-21 from the field in the first quarter, a shooting percentage lower than Rasheed Wallace’s technical foul count. Anthony Edwards came in with energy, dropping 7 early points, and Julius Randle added 6 on 2 triples. But overall? The Timberwolves’ offense was about as organized as a Dion Waiters heat check.

Meanwhile, OKC’s offense was no better. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 9 points but needed 8 shots to get them. The Thunder shot a modest 35.3% from the field in the first quarter, and the only thing colder than their jumper was Chet Holmgren’s free throw percentage (0-for-2).

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the first quarter was a brick-fest. But that didn’t stop ESPN from hyping the matchup like it was Magic vs. Bird 2.0. And smack in the middle of all that glitz and scripted glam was Michael Malone, freshly ousted from Denver, trying to provide actual analysis between Kendrick Perkins one-liners and Bob Myers monologues.

Fan Reactions: Michael Malone Brings Respectability to a Clunky Show

“Former #Nuggets coach Michael Malone looking sharp on ESPN NBA Countdown. He’s good on TV. No surprise.” Malone looked more polished than a Gregg Popovich game plan, and that’s saying something. While it’s his first big-time gig as a TV analyst, Malone didn’t miss a beat. He dissected plays, added behind-the-scenes Nuggets insights, and brought a refreshing voice to a show that’s often as scattered as Russell Westbrook’s shot selection in crunch time.

Before this, Malone’s most prominent media stints were coaching clinics and the occasional postgame soundbite ranting about refs. But with ESPN handing him a mic and a platform, he didn’t just blend in — he stood out. Calm, thoughtful, and not a single fake laugh in sight. The fans noticed.

“Hopefully next year y’all can upgrade that NBA Countdown crew cause they not cutting it.” Look, let’s be real — the NBA Countdown squad has become basketball’s version of a superteam that looks great on paper but just can’t find rhythm on the floor. You’ve got Stephen A. Smith bringing his usual fire (and volume), Kendrick Perkins trying to out-metaphor himself every segment, Bob Myers doing his best impression of a front office Zoom call, and Shams Charania sneaking in Woj-like bombs while Malika Andrews tries to keep the ship from sinking.

Fans have long complained that ESPN focuses more on personalities than basketball content. It’s like if the 2013 Lakers starting five hosted a show — all stars, no flow. And with TNT’s Inside the NBA setting the gold standard, NBA Countdown feels more like the bronze participation trophy.

“The NBA Countdown show on ESPN is so cringe… can’t wait for Inside the NBA to take over.” Here’s the plot twist: Inside the NBA is moving to ESPN. Yup, starting with the 2025–26 season, Charles Barkley, Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson will be taking over. That’s like trading the G-League for Showtime. TNT lost the NBA rights, and ESPN wisely decided, “Hey, let’s bring in the GOATs.”

That means ESPN has one year left to prove they’re not the Sacramento Kings of TV coverage. And while Malone is a strong addition, the rest of the show still feels like the pre-Kawhi Raptors — a lot of effort, not a lot of results. It’s not that the current cast is bad individually — it’s that together, they make you long for Chuck’s goofy banter and Shaq trying to pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Only good thing about NBA Countdown is Malone being on there.” So far, Malone’s only on board for the Western Conference Finals. But with the rave reviews pouring in, ESPN might want to think twice about letting him go. In a panel that often veers into chaos quicker than Draymond Green in a heated matchup, Malone brings something refreshing: actual basketball insight.

No yelling. No corny takes. Just real X’s and O’s, with a side of dry sarcasm that’d make Gregg Popovich proud. If ESPN’s serious about transforming its NBA coverage before Barkley & Co. arrive, keeping Malone around long-term should be the first move they make — preferably before Perkins compares someone to a “bus rider” again.

Michael Malone might not have saved the Nuggets from playoff elimination, but he sure as hell gave NBA Countdown a breath of fresh air. The show still has major problems — an overcrowded desk, clunky transitions, and a tendency to chase drama over breakdowns — but Malone’s presence reminded everyone what real basketball analysis looks like.