After the Nuggets swept the Lakers in final season’s Western Conference Finals, each groups had lots to say and earlier than you knew it, a beef had been born.
There had been heated moments on the courtroom – like when LeBron James and Aaron Gordon got into it – however the feud kicked into one other gear because of the whole lot that was mentioned off the courtroom.
in case you wanted a reminder @KingJames pic.twitter.com/hFFW8TH6gQ
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 19, 2024
As we prepare for the LA-Denver playoff rematch, listed below are the important thing moments that led to Lakers and Nuggets being at one another’s throats:
MIKE MALONE INTRODUCED AS “THE LAKERS’ DADDY”
Once the Nuggets had swept the Lakers in final yr’s convention finals, after which defeated the Miami Heat for the title, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was launched as “the Lakers’ daddy” in the course of the staff’s championship parade celebration.
MIKE MALONE MOCKS LEBRON OVER RETIREMENT COMMENTS
After the Lakers had been eradicated by the Nuggets, LeBron James informed ESPN he would ponder retirement over the summer season.
Mike Malone then made mild of LeBron’s feedback.
“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know — this is breaking news — I’m thinking about retiring, so don’t tell anybody,” Malone mentioned on The Pat McAfee Show.
LEBRON CLAPS BACK
LeBron James appeared to reply to Mike Malone by way of Instagram, though he didn’t point out Malone’s identify.
“I hear I’m on your mind that much, huh??? I mean I guess I see why … Enjoy your light but just know I’m the SUN.”
Malone was beforehand an assistant coach in Cleveland when LeBron was there.
ANTHONY DAVIS TAKES ISSUE WITH DENVER’S CHATTER
Speaking on the Lakers’ media day forward of the brand new 2023-24 season, Anthony Davis spoke his thoughts concerning the Nuggets and referred to as their trash discuss “motivational”.
“There was just so much of that going on it was like, ‘All right, we get it, y’all won,’” Davis mentioned. “But me and Bron had some conversations like, ‘We can’t wait [to play them again.]’”
MALONE ESCALATES THINGS FURTHER
Malone dialled up the temperature in coaching camp final October when he addressed the most recent feedback from Lakers gamers.
“Oh, they’re talking about us? That was what, four months ago?” Malone mentioned. “I can’t speak for anybody in L.A., but if they’re still worried about us, that’s on them … But yeah, I don’t listen to any of that stuff. I don’t know what they’re saying, and if we’re on their minds, then I guess that’s on them.”
All these months later, the brewing animosity units the scene for a really spicy rematch within the first spherical of the playoffs. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday night time.
READ MORE: Anthony Davis Connected to Knicks Amid Rumors of Major Lakers Shake-Up
