The Los Angeles Lakers always had the most famous rivalry against the Boston Celtics. The two giants have won the league title 17 times each. The epic rivalry between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell made NBA an exciting league all over America. And, in the next generation, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird made the rivalry even more special. Like the rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics, there are many historic rivalries in the NBA.
However, there is a new rivalry in the making in the NBA. It again includes the Lakers. But this time, the new rival of the 17-time champions from the West is the new champion Denver Nuggets. But this Nuggets team had to wait for a long time to get to the finals. In fact, the last time Los Angeles Lakers won the title, the Denver franchise met them in the conference finals. Darvin Ham, the head coach, explains that the rivalry between the Lakers and Nuggets is just beginning.
Lakers Coach Warns Michael Malone For A New Challenge In 2023-24
In the 2019-20 Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Nuggets 4-1. After three years, the Nuggets had their revenge ending the 2023 WCF in four games. Later, Michae Malone got himself into a verbal battle with LeBron James and Darvin Ham. Moreover, the Nuggets coach criticized the media for overhyping LA team. Later, Vic Lombardi, the Denver Nuggets broadcaster, called Malone “the Lakers Daddy.” It obviously did not sit well with the Lakers fans. In a recent interview with Marc Stein and Chris Haynes on the podcast, Uncut #thisleague, mentioned, “It is not yet over with the Denver Nuggets.”
It seemed like an open challenge to the Nuggets coach, who had the better of the LA side the last season. Darvin Ham added that he wishes God bless Malone’s soul. Moreover, Ham called Malone “Money Mike.” The Lakers coach reacted with surprise, “They call him Laker’s Daddy now?” But Ham has faith in his team, and he feels his team can blow the current champions too. However, it would be a challenge to stop the force of the Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray duo. If they have become the strongest defense, then the Nuggets are the best offensive side. The Lakers coach and fans are taking all the savages that are coming their way. Then when it is time, the Lakers Nation plans to fight back.
Can The Nuggets Become A New Dynasty In The NBA’s Future?
The Nuggets had to wait many years to break through the Western Conference to reach the NBA Finals finally. Not only did the Nuggets reach the finals, but they also won it in a dominating style against the Miami Heat. At first, Denver Nuggets blew the Los Angeles Lakers away 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals.
Later, they beat the Heat 4-1 in the 2022-23 finals. Unsurprisingly enough, Nikola Jokic won the finals MVP. Moreover, Lakers coach Darvin Ham suggests that Denver Nuggets can establish a new dynasty in the NBA. In fact, the Nuggets coach Michael Malone had said after winning the title for the first time that he would like to win more championships with this team.