The Los Angeles Lakers may be focused on the Nuggets this week, but Denver coach Michael Malone insists that the defending NBA champions have moved on from the Western Conference finals sweep. Malone was asked about the Lakers’ comments regarding his team and how they have been fueled by trash talk from Malone and the Nuggets all summer. He brushed it off, stating, “Oh, they’re talking about us? That was what, four months ago?” Malone emphasized that this is a new season and a new challenge, expressing respect for the Lakers and their coach Darvin Ham. He made it clear that he doesn’t pay attention to the noise and suggested that if the Lakers are still preoccupied with the Nuggets, it’s their own concern.
The upcoming season opener between the Nuggets and Lakers in Denver on October 24 is expected to be intense. Lakers star Anthony Davis revealed during Monday’s media day that the trash talk from the Nuggets after their sweep of the Lakers served as motivation for him. Davis acknowledged that the Nuggets had every right to celebrate their victory, but he and LeBron James had conversations about eagerly awaiting a rematch. Notably, Malone felt that the narrative during the Western Conference finals was more about the Lakers than the Nuggets. However, he didn’t let that overshadow the team’s focus, stating that they were still playing while the Lakers had gone fishing.
Following the Nuggets’ triumph, Malone was playfully introduced as “the Lakers’ daddy” during the Denver championship parade. Additionally, in an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Malone joked that he was considering retirement after the win, poking fun at LeBron James, who had mentioned retirement during the offseason. Former Nuggets forward Bruce Brown also shared his confidence in the team’s performance against the Lakers during the conference finals, stating that it never felt like they were going to lose any game. These comments caught the attention of Lakers swingman Austin Reaves, who believed they were clearly aimed at the Lakers. The chatter continued on social media, with James posting on Instagram without mentioning Malone explicitly, asserting his dominance and calling himself the “SUN.”
Despite the lingering rhetoric, Malone made it clear during Monday’s media day that Denver is focused on leaving last season in the rearview mirror and concentrating on the task at hand: trying to repeat their success. The Nuggets, however, will have one more night of celebration as they receive their championship rings and raise the championship banner before facing the Lakers in the season opener. While there have been discussions about a potential rivalry between the Lakers and Nuggets, especially given their clashes in the Western Conference finals in the past two years, Malone doesn’t view it that way. He downplayed the notion of a rivalry, citing classic rivalries like Boston-L.A. or the Knicks-Miami Heat. Malone emphasized that he neither welcomes nor rejects the idea of a rivalry with the Lakers but instead is focused on the upcoming seasons.
As the new NBA season dawns, the Lakers and Nuggets find themselves on different paths. While the Lakers are driven by their desire to avenge their playoff loss and prove their dominance, the Nuggets aim to build on their success and defend their status as top contenders. Both teams have made significant roster changes, with the Lakers bringing in new talent to support their superstar duo of Davis and James, and the Nuggets seeking to strengthen their depth and adapt to the challenges ahead. The clash between these two teams on opening night will undoubtedly be heated, fueled by past encounters and the desire to make an early statement in the season. However, as the season progresses, it will be crucial for both teams to focus not on the chatter and rivalries but on their performance on the court. The Lakers and Nuggets have proven their abilities, and as they embark on a new season, it is their actions that will speak louder than words.
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