People say that we are vulnerable, but the beast is always the strongest or the most dangerous when they’re vulnerable,” Jokic said. “Maybe he woke up the beast.”

"Jokic was privy to the decision [firing Malone] before it was announced, and there was not an objection, people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the team’s internal operations."

Michael Malone was the only head coach that Nikola Jokic had ever had in the NBA, but it appears that the partnership may have run its course.