The Denver Nuggets put themselves on the map now and forever.
They joined the long list of teams with at least one NBA championship, and no one can take this moment away from them.
For the first time in their history, they’re in full control of the news cycle, with the attention not going toward big-market teams.
That’s why Nuggets coach Mike Malone made the most of the chance to take a friendly jab at LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on the Pat McAfee Show.
WATCH: Nuggets head coach Michael Malone trolls LeBron James' retirement rumor after winning an NBA championship ?
"Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know, this is breaking news. I'm thinking about retiring… only kidding.”
Thoughts? ? (@PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/UKoE2ObCf2
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) June 15, 2023
When asked about how he felt now that the Nuggets are the first Western Conference team not from Texas or California to win a championship since the 1979 Seattle Supersonics, he jokingly said that he was thinking of retiring.
Of course, this is in reference to LeBron’s comments about his future in the league after being swept in the Western Conference Finals by… you guessed it, the Nuggets.
Coach Malone was quite critical of NBA media throughout the course of the playoffs.
He called them out for always centering the narrative on the Lakers or other teams and what they needed to do to beat the Nuggets rather than talking about Nikola Jokic’s historic playoff run and all the things they did well.
The winner always gets bragging rights, so coach Malone has every right to talk his talk after walking the walk in the NBA Finals.
As for LeBron, we all know he’s not retiring and those comments may have been a bit of a PR stunt to drive attention away from the sweep.
NEXT: Analyst Details Financial Bonuses Nuggets Players Received After Finals Win
