Nuggets Coach Couldn’t Help But Troll LeBron James After Finals Win
Nuggets coach Michael Malone was sick of his team not getting the respect they deserved. After a Game 2 win to go up 2–0 in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers, he called out the media for perpetuating storylines that made it about the LeBron James-led team rather than Denver.
“All everybody talked about was the Lakers,” Malone said. “Let’s be honest, that was a national narrative: The Lakers were fine.”
After those comments, Denver proceeded to sweep Los Angeles and beat the Heat in five games to win the franchise’s first-ever NBA title. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, Malone was asked about the Nuggets not getting their respect but took another shot toward Los Angeles. This time, specifically, at James.
“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know this is breaking news: I’m thinking about retiring,” Malone said with a laugh. “Only kidding, only kidding.”
"I'm thinking about retiring" ????????????
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 14, 2023
Michael Malone #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/A0SwkxufQc
The not-so-subtle shot is in reference to James saying, “I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest, with me, personally, with the game of basketball,” after his team was swept by the Nuggets. James was specifically asked to evaluate his season and wasn’t asked about retirement at all, so his hinting at the subject caught a lot of people off guard and lead to some criticism.
Fans speculated that James brought up the subject for attention and his remarks ultimately drew just that—despite there being very few people who believe James would actually retire so abruptly. Malone appears to agree James was looking to steal the limelight from the Nuggets, but he gets the last laugh in the end with a championship.