The Denver Nuggets have quietly been playing really well under head coach Michael Malone. While speaking to reporters recently, Malone was asked about similarities that he saw between superstar Nikola Jokic and Kristaps Porzingis. His answer might have made that reportedly feel really stupid.

According to Mile High Sports' Ryan Blackburn, Malone made a blunt but bold statement.

Malone answered: “Not really. Other than being big and foreign, I think that's where the similarities stop.”

It was a very weird question to ask. For one, Malone has never coached Porzingis. Prior to coaching in Denver, where he has been since 2015, he was coaching in Sacramento. Porzingis has played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and now the Washington Wizards. But okay, Malone is obviously aware of Porzingis' game.

But if anyone has watched the Nuggets superstar, they would recognize that their games are very different. Despite being over seven feet tall, Porzingis is not the greatest rebounder. He has never averaged double digit rebounds in a single season of his career. Whereas Jokic has averaged double digits in four of the last five seasons, and is ripping down a career-high 13.8 per game for the Nuggets this season.

Jokic is also an exceptional passer. The Denver superstar center makes all of his teammates better around him, drawing so much attention in the paint. That has allowed him to post four straight seasons with over seven assists per game, which is unheard of from centers in the NBA. The Nuggets big man is also a much better rim protector and league MVP. He is in contention to win another one again this year. Porzingis is a good player, but not close to the level of Jokic.