Michael Malone on heated interaction with Timberwolves fan: “That happens at times in a hostile environment”
Denver Post
MINNEAPOLIS — Nuggets coach Michael Malone was involved in a heated interaction with at least one Timberwolves fan near the visiting bench during an NBA playoff game Friday night.
Two fans at Target Center were escorted away from the sideline by security during the fourth quarter of Game 3 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, but Malone said he didn’t ask for anyone to be removed from the arena.
“He didn’t like my haircut, and I told him that I like my haircut,” Malone joked. “And we just kind of went from there.”
The Nuggets were on their way to a 117-90 blowout when the incident occurred, involving other team support staff members as well as Malone.
The ninth-year Nuggets coach emphasized that the moment wasn’t a reflection of Minnesota’s home crowd in general.
“That happens at times in a hostile environment, and people get a little liquid courage I guess sometimes,” he said. “And they think they can just say whatever they want to anybody. And I’m not allowing that to happen.”
Tensions have been high between both fanbases and the officiating crews so far in the best-of-seven series, which Minnesota leads 2-1. Frustrations during Game 2 at Ball Arena resulted in Jamal Murray throwing multiple objects in the direction of an official. The lack of suspension for Murray resulted in Minnesota’s crowd booing him throughout Game 3.
“Listen man, these fans here are great,” Malone said. “I mean, that was an amazing atmosphere. You live for moments like that and opportunities like that, to go out there and perform when you’ve got 20,000 people screaming at you. But unfortunately there’s always gonna be people that want to get a little bit more involved in the game, and make it personal. And that’s unfortunate.”