Kendrick Perkins hits out at Malone after Game 2 loss

ESPN’s pundit and ex-NBA player Kendrick Perkins has hit out at Denver’s head-coach Michael Malone, who criticized his players for poor showing in their Game 2 loss against Miami Heat.

Perkins believes that there is only one person, who needs to be held accountable and that is Malone himself.

.@KendrickPerkins says Michael Malone needs to "hold himself accountable" for the Nuggets Game 2 loss ?

"Michael Malone is calling out his team, but who's calling out Michael Malone?" pic.twitter.com/dw02o2CNbo

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 5, 2023

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“While Mike Malone is sitting up there calling out his teammates, he’s got to look himself in the mirror as well,” Perkins said. “Effort was one thing, but I didn’t see too many things Michael Malone did as well.”

The pundit also blamed the Nuggets coach for not using Michael Porter Jr. to full effect.

“We talk about how dangerous the two-man game is with [Nikola] Jokić and Jamal Murray, but what happens when that’s not going?” Perkins added.

“How about utilizing [Porter] being 6’10” and at times he may have a smaller defender on him and say, ‘Let’s see how he can do on the low block’? If a guy feels involved offensively, he’s going to give you everything and more on the defensive side of things.”

The Nuggets will be looking to bounce back in Game 3, which is scheduled for Wednesday in Miami.