Without entering into an open war, Michael Malone and the Nuggets exchanged a few skirmishes with the Lakers after the Western Conference final won by the former. For what ? Because the Denver coach was piqued by the general attitude around Los Angeles.
The general public and certain journalists were undoubtedly hoping to see LeBron James again in the Finals, for a remake against the Heat or a new episode of the rivalry against the Celtics. But Nikola Jokic and company swept the Californians (4-0). In the process, Mike Malone had several times joked about the possible retirement of LeBron James, the mention of the subject by the “King” having put the victory of the Nuggets in the background…
Faced with this, the Lakers are already announcing the color: they will want to spoil the party from the first match of the season. A desire which does not affect the coach of the 2023 champions.
” They talk about us ? When was the conference final, four months ago? “, asks Michael Malone for ESPN. “If they still think about us, that’s their problem. It’s a new season, a new challenge, after a big series against them. We won 4-0 but the matches were close. We have respect for them, for Darvin Ham. But I don’t listen to all that. What they say, what they think, is their problem. »
Isn’t this the start of a rivalry, as the two teams have crossed swords in the conference final twice (2020, 2023) in a few years?
“It’s not a rivalry,” replies the Colorado technician. “Playing a team in the Western Conference finals twice in three years is not enough to be a rivalry. When I think of that, I mostly think of Boston – Los Angeles, or New York – Miami at the time. But regarding the Lakers, I am looking towards the 2023/24 season, I am not living four months in the past. »
