Following another loss in the NBA preseason, Denver Nuggets head coach <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-malone">Michael Malone</a> addressed the team’s underwhelming performance. After falling 118-114 to the Phoenix Suns, the Nuggets now sit at 0-3 in preseason play, raising concerns about their readiness for the upcoming regular season.



Frustration is building as the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Nuggets</a> have yet to secure a win since their first preseason game. In response, Malone delivered a stern message to his players, emphasizing the need to improve before the regular season tips off.



During a post-game press conference after Sunday’s loss to the Suns, Malone expressed his concerns about his team’s preparation: “The league has gotten so soft. Everybody’s afraid to condition and run. Well, we have to.”



Malone continued, reflecting on his team’s lack of intensity in practice: “I was probably a little hard on some of those guys in practice. I think we need to get up and down the court more.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241014_BUS_252369_Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2-1024x576_74f40e8d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Michael Malone running the team" class="wp-image-252395" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Michael-Malone-Denver-Nuggets-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 19, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Malone questions players’ conditioning</h2>



In addition to his concerns about their performance, Malone also questioned his players’ conditioning ahead of the regular season: “I don’t think we’re in great shape right now. That’s something we talked about as coaches during the game. Some guys looked winded and a bit tired out there.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/nba-news-nikola-jokic-claims-russell-westbrook-could-improve-denver-nuggets-defense"></div>


Despite these concerns, Malone sees value in using the preseason struggles as a learning experience, hoping to strengthen the team as they gear up for the regular season.



“We can take a lot of positives and we can also look at all the areas that we struggled in and challenge ourselves to be better. We have OKC coming in then we go to Minnesota and then get ready for a season opener and I’m excited for what’s ahead of us because there is so much room to improve,” Malone added.



<h2>What’s next for Malone and the Denver Nuggets?</h2>



With the preseason winding down, Malone is aiming for a strong finish to prepare for their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he hopes the Nuggets will get off to a fast start.



Nuggets’ fixture:



<ul><li>vs. Thunder – October 15 – Preseason Game 4</li><li>vs. Timberwolves – October 17 – Preseason Game 5</li><li>vs. Thunder – October 24 – Season Opener Game</li></ul>

NBA News: Nuggets HC Michael Malone issues strong warning to his players

NBA News: Nuggets HC Michael Malone issues strong warning to his players - Bolavip US

miniaturas

Denver Nuggets head coach <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-malone">Michael Malone</a> doesn’t look worried about facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023-24 NBA playoffs. Last year, they gained the upper hand against LeBron James and company in the Conference finals.



“We swept them last year. We swept them this year,” said Malone, as quoted by Harrison Wind. “They come in playing really well and hungry. They want to flip that script. Our players understand that. We know them, they know us. We know what to expect.”



The truth is the Nuggets have been dominant against the Lakers as of late. Last year, Nikola Jokic and company swept the purple and gold in the Western Conference Finals en route to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> championship.



On top of that, Denver went 9-0 against Darvin Ham’s team the last nine times they met. The last three wins by the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Nuggets</a> were by double digit, so one can understand Malone’s confidence, even if it sounds strange to hear a coach say that.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240420_BUS_120273_LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a-1024x576_0ee5499f.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2024 in New York City." class="wp-image-106554" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/LeBron-James-23-of-the-Los-Angeles-Lakers-in-action-against-the-New-York-Knicks-during-their-game-a.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2024 in New York City.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Malone knows Lakers are very motivated to beat Nuggets</h2>



However, as optimistic as he looks about his team’s chances, Malone also understands the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Lakers</a> will head into this series with a bigger desire to get revenge and prove their doubters wrong.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/nba/lebron-james-anthony-davis-react-to-the-lakers-playoff-matchup-with-the-nuggets"></div>


The Nuggets head coach is well aware Denver became the team to beat by winning the championship last year, but if the rest of the league wants to take them down, Lakers want it even more after losing so much in their last matchups.



“Come Saturday, there are 15 other teams that want what we have. We have the world championship trophy and everybody’s trying to take it from us,” Malone said. “You win a championship and now comes a very hungry Laker team who is pissed off that we’ve beaten them eight-straight times.”



<h2>LeBron James draws praise from Malone</h2>



Malone’s confidence on the Nuggets and their recent record over the Lakers doesn’t mean he’s taking anything for granted, especially since <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> will be on the other side.



“It’s year 21, and the guy is getting better. He had a career year from the three-point line. It’s really amazing when you sit back as a fan of the game, it’s really incredible. I hope he gets tired. I hope he wears down,” Malone said. “But I’ve seen no signs of LeBron James slowing down by any means and I think it’s gonna be another challenge for our group.”

Nuggets coach issues strong warning to LeBron James' Lakers

LeBron James' Lakers warned by Nuggets coach Michael Malone ahead of 2024 NBA playoffs - Bolavip US

Nuggets coach Michael Malone warns LeBron James' Lakers ahead of NBA playoffs

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Denver Nugget</a>s will enter the 78th <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA </a>season as the defending champions after winning the title last season against Jimmy Butler’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a>. Everything is in place for the season to start in October as usual.



There is not much difference in what the 2023-2024 season will be compared to other seasons, with some new rules but the format of the regular season, play-in, playoffs, and Finals remaining intact.



Among the most anticipated things to see in the upcoming season will be <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/victor-wembanyama">Victor Wembanyama’s</a> debut in the regular season with the Spurs as the top draft pick. In addition, two teams will travel to the United Arab Emirates for a pair of preseason games between the Mavericks and Timberwolves.



<h2>What are the start dates for the 2023-24 NBA season?</h2>



The regular season begins on October 24, 2023 and ends on April 14, 2024. The 82-game regular season is expected to take place as usual, but anything could happen that could reduce the number of games in the schedule.



The play-in tournament begins at some point after the regular season ends on April 14. It is important to note that the play-in tournament is not part of the playoffs and therefore does not officially count as postseason.



The postseason begins with 16 teams at the end of the play-in tournament in April 2024 and ends in May. The NBA Finals begin in June and will be broadcast on ABC.

Warriors\&#039; Steve Kerr reveals how expansion teams would help the NBA

Hoops: Will DeMarcus Cousins return to the NBA in the 2023-2024 season?

Hoops: When does the NBA season start in 2023? - Bolavip US

Hoops: When does the NBA season start in 2023?

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a> were deservedly the 2023 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> champions, taking down every team that came his way. But <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mike-malone">Michael Malone</a>‘s team was particularly dominant against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, sweeping <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> and company in the Conference Finals.



For some reason, the Nuggets seem to have enjoyed that victory more than any other series they won throughout the postseason. The Lakers were mentioned several times during their victory parade in Denver, and Malone later roasted The King.



“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know, this is breaking news: I’m thinking about retiring,” the Nuggets coach joked in the Pat McAfee Show, roasting James, who said he would contemplate retirement this offseason. But the 38-year-old didn’t overlook Malone’s “joke.”



<h2>LeBron James takes subtle shot at Michael Malone</h2>



“In Europe for the last past few weeks minding my business and I hear I’m on your mind that much huh??? I mean I guess I see why. But Wave the flag on these lames!! Please make being player cool again cause the lame machine is at an all-time high. Enjoy your light but just know I’m the SUN. I stay on forever!,” James wrote on Instagram.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20230614#BUS#10745"></div>


The Lakers are used to being hated by teams they don’t have a rivalry with. However, the Nuggets seemed quite obsessed with them this year, while for some reason Malone decided to create a beef with LeBron. But making The King angry is never a smart decision, even if he’s not getting any younger.

Mike Malone explains how the Nuggets built around Nikola Jokic

Shaq explains why the Lakers should build a statue of LeBron James

NBA News: Lakers star LeBron James subtly fires back at Nuggets coach Michael Malone - Bolavip US

NBA News: Lakers star LeBron James subtly fires back at Nuggets coach Michael Malone

The Denver Nuggets are in the 2023 NBA Finals after eliminating the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. However, according to head coach Michael Malone, they still don’t get the credit deserved.



The Nuggets were the best team in the Western Conference following a 53-29 record. In the playoffs, Denver dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves and then took a care of a supposed superstar team like the Phoenix Suns which included Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Devin Booker.


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20230525#BUS#3812"></div>


In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> were no match. A 4-0 sweep for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic">Nikola Jokic</a> and company. However, Michael Malone has had enough of the narrative.



<h2>Mike Malone sends epic message to LeBron James and Lakers</h2>



Right now, the Denver Nuggets are resting and preparing to face either the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals which start next Thursday. Nevertheless, according to Mike Malone, the narrative just doesn’t change. 







“Well, if anybody is still talking about the Lakers in the NBA Finals, that’s on them. I mean, they’ve gone fishing and we are still playing. The narrative should be on whatever two teams are still alive. Let’s salute and appreciate the greatness of each and everyone of those players on the court.”


<div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#20230526#BUS#4024"></div>


During the entire Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets’ head coach criticized the media for only talking about the Lakers. He’s going at it again. “To get to that point is historical for us. It’s the first time in franchise history that the Denver Nuggets have made the NBA Finals and we’re not satisfied with that. I just hope that the narrative is on the two teams that are representing their conferences. Let’s get all the negativity out of the way.”

Michael Malone

NBA News: Nuggets HC Michael Malone issues strong warning to his players

Nuggets coach Michael Malone warns LeBron James' Lakers ahead of NBA playoffs

Hoops: When does the NBA season start in 2023?

NBA News: Lakers star LeBron James subtly fires back at Nuggets coach Michael Malone

Mike Malone slams LeBron James and Lakers prior to 2023 NBA Finals