Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone caused an uproar this week when he said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander "showed why he's the MVP" with his 31-point performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Given Malone's background as one of the architects of perennial top MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, this entire TV appearance turned some heads around the NBA world. And it's the Nuggets who took the brunt of the damage.

Western Conference finals will be a family affair this season as presumptive NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Nickeil Alexander-Walker,

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder roared past the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.