Getty Image / Matthew Stockman
This year’s NBA postseason went pretty well for the Denver Nuggets.
They lost just 4 games during the playoffs as they dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat on the way to winning the first NBA title in franchise history.
Despite the success they found during that run, there was a point when their head coach was not particularly happy with the coverage one of their opponents was getting.
In the midst of their sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, head coach Mike Malone took issue with the way the series was being covered by the media.
Then after the series, he took a shot at LeBron James by pretending to announce his retirement at the team’s championship parade. It was a reference to LeBron teasing his potential retirement after the Lakers were swept, a move that was seemingly made to take attention away from the fact that the Nuggets swept them.
It appears that now LeBron is the one who is unhappy.
According to NBA insider Brandon Robinson, LeBron is “pissed” with Malone over his comments and will be using them as motivation for next season.
LeBron James is pissed with Michael Malone and will use next season as motivation, I’m told.
I also discuss what I’ve heard more recently on LeBron James in Dallas & why LeBron James’ thought process on retiring is different now Vs. When retirement talk was discussed. https://t.co/EFsZXDDSVK pic.twitter.com/1p4gQ3YuY2
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) June 29, 2023
Unfortunately, a motivated LeBron isn’t quite as intimidating as he used to be, especially with how dominant the Denver Nuggets were against the Lakers in the playoffs.
Still, maybe we have another new rivalry brewing in the Western Conference ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season.
At least now fans may have a little bit of an extra incentive to tune in the next time LeBron James goes head to head with the defending champs.