New on Sports Illustrated: Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Pays Emotional Tribute to Boulder Shooting Victims

Nuggets coach Michael Malone paid tribute to the 10 victims who were murdered during Monday's shooting in Boulder.

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Nuggets coach Michael Malone took a moment to pay a powerful and emotional tribute to the Boulder shooting victims, marking his second news conference in three seasons dedicated to a Colorado shooting. 

"It seems like we've been here before, but before we get into tonight's game and to basketball, I think it's really important we turn our attention where it should be, and that's back in Boulder," Malone said. "Obviously, yesterday was another tragedy. Hopefully, it's something we can find a way to prevent from happening in the future. I think I speak for everyone on our team, our travel party, that our thoughts and prayers—which is never enough—are definitely with the Boulder community and all the families of the 10 innocent people who were murdered yesterday."

Malone then read the 10 names from Monday's shooting that occurred at a Boulder supermarket. The victims ranged in age from 20 to 65 years old, authorities said.

“Rikki Olds … Denny Stong … Neven Stanisic … Tralona Bartkowiak … Suzanne Fountain … Teri Leiker … Kevin Mahoney … Lynn Murray … Jody Waters … and police officer Eric Talley, father of seven kids.”

In 2019 before a playoff game, he opened his press conference in a similar way after the STEM school shooting in Highlands Ranch. And just like back then, he expressed hope that change will come. 

"I can't speak for each of our players," Malone said when asked how he processed Monday's shooting. "I think we all handle things differently. Obviously, I think we're all tired of it. That's an understatement. I know, for me, you get so caught up in the job and basketball ... We get judged on wins and losses, but if you take a step back and you put yourself in one of those families, what do you feel?

"This is a game, a game I love, I have a passion for, but I think about Eric Talley and his seven kids. That's what I think about, and I'm just heartbroken for them and everybody else, and hopefully we as a country, we as a state, can find a way to be better."