EXPLAINED: LeBron James’ Brutal Reply To Nuggets Coach For Poking Fun At Him & Lakers

LeBron James

LeBron James, Michael Malone

Denver Nuggets, the current NBA title winners, defeated Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals to advance to the ultimate finale. They beat Miami Heat to claim their maiden title. Naturally, the whole team was over the moon and had a gigantic level celebration. However, things took an ugly turn when Nuggets’ head coach chose to poke Lakers star LeBron James with an indirect dig.

LeBron James threatened retirement shortly after the Laker’s loss in the conference finals against Denver. Hence, the media deviated its focus from Nuggets’ win to James’ retirement rumors. Denver had just reached their maiden NBA finals, and the lack of media coverage irked their head coach, Michael Malone, who sought his revenge right after their title win. What Malone failed to grasp is that a player like James was not going to take it all in without giving a befitting reply.

   

LeBron James Shares A Cryptic Instagram Post, Fans Link It To Michael Malone

Honorary race starter LeBron James waves the flag to start the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Circuit de la Sarthe on Saturday in Le Mans, France. Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Denver Nuggets coach, Michael Malone, poked a bear when he targeted LeBron James during their title win celebrations. He was referred to as “Lakers’ daddy” during the parade show. Not only that, Malone made fun of James’ retirement threat with an indirect jibe. Malone was hurt that Nuggets received fewer media coverage despite winning the conference finals, as all focus was on James’ retirement contemplation. Meanwhile, LeBron, who is enjoying his off-time in Europe attending multiple global sports events, was unaware of the whole fiasco. However, when he learned about the whole thing once returning back, the Lakers forward hit back with a brutal social media post.

LeBron James shared an Instagram post yesterday in which he wrote a long message. The 38-year-old said that while he stayed in Europe minding his business, he was apparently on the mind of some lame folks. James further referred to Nuggets while saying that you can enjoy the light now, but he will always be the sun. Meaning LeBron will always remain a forever great and at an all-time high. NBA fans and pundits were quick to interpret Nuggets’ link to it. Fans were convinced that the post was indeed directed towards Denver coach Michael Malone. Well, it could be true. Because James has never shied away from speaking his mind. He has a reputation for giving befitting replies during controversies. Hence, when Malone tried to shame him, there was no way he was staying quiet.

Nuggets Coach Makes Fun Of LeBron’s Retirement Threat

Head coach Michael Malone reacts during the Denver Nuggets’ victory parade and rally after winning the 2023 NBA title at Civic Center Park June 15, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The whole controversy erupted when last week, after the Nugget’s title wins, coach Michael Malone appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and took an indirect jibe at LeBron James’ retirement threats. He said, “Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know this is breaking news: I’m thinking about retiring.” Malone further explained the reason behind his hate for the Lakers and James. He said that even when Nuggets won against the Lakers, the media headline focused on how the Lakers lost rather than appreciating the Nuggets’ performance.

The whole coverage was around the Lakers despite them losing the conference finals series 4-0. Michael Malone wants to put Denver on the NBA map, and he feels the team has done enough to fulfill that dream. It’s high time the fans move over the giants like the Lakers and appreciate teams like the Nuggets, as it’s in the best interest of the NBA. Undoubtedly, it seems like the whole uproar is unlikely to die down any time soon.

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