Reigning NBA MVP <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nikola Jokic</a>, is having an impressive individual season. His last performance was outstanding, with the Denver Nuggets star logging 48 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists against Atlanta Hawks. Therefore, head coach Michael Malone exposed the superstar’s detractors.



“We were joking the other day. People say, ‘Oh, Joker is not in shape.’ You can’t do what he does if you’re not in shape. You really can’t. Is he ever going to win an athletic contest? No. But he has endurance. And what you really marvel at the 48-14-8 is just how efficient he is. I mean, he’s not one of these guys that’s putting huge numbers, stat hunting, and taking bad shots. He’s doing it all for his team, and I feel privileged to have the chance to coach and watch him every night. I never take it for granted,” said <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-malone">Malone</a> during his last post-game interview.



Critics have never doubted his skills as a professional player, but his physical condition has often been a point of contention. However, it seems futile to question a player who is holding the offense of a team looking for a playoff spot.



<h2>It is not only Nikola Jokic’s job, his teammates need to support him</h2>



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denver Nuggets</a>‘ defensive fragility and lack of communication overshadowed Jokic’s brilliant individual work on offense. The constant criticism among his teammates creates a tense atmosphere from which the team does not benefit, as they see disconnections in the game that turn into offensive opportunities for the opponent.



<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_20241209_BUS_289525_Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-1024x576_2b242615.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Nikola Jokic of Denver Nuggets speaks to the referee during the NBA match between Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets at Etihad Arena on October 06, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates." class="wp-image-260951" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Nikola-Jokic-Nuggets-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nikola Jokic of Denver Nuggets speaks to the referee during the NBA match between Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets at Etihad Arena on October 06, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. </figcaption></figure>



Nikola Jokic believes that lack of communication is evident: “I think it’s everybody’s fault. It’s not just the coach’s fault; it’s not his fault that we cannot make shots. It’s not his fault that we don’t communicate…I think it’s the whole, collectively, that we’re not good, and we’re going in a bad direction.”


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<h2>Nikola Jokic joins prestigious NBA list</h2>



Nikola Jokic notched his 139th career triple-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers, cementing his place in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> history. He now ranks third on the all-time triple-doubles list, trailing only Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson. This milestone highlights Jokic’s remarkable consistency over the years and solidifies his status as one of the game’s greats.



It’s not just Jokic’s stats that stand out, his versatility does as well. His impact on the court in offense, defense, and playmaking has solidified his status as a basketball legend. Jokic has proven that he’s not only one of the best players of this era but also a figure destined to have his own chapter in NBA history.

NBA News: Nuggets HC Michael Malone sends clear message to Nikola Jokic amid outside criticism

NBA legend makes bold comparison between Bulls&#039; Michael Jordan and Nuggets&#039; Nikola Jokic

NBA News: Nuggets HC Michael Malone sends clear message to Nikola Jokic amid outside criticism - Bolavip US

miniaturas

Three days ago, the Denver Nuggets were riding high after a commanding win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Denver. With a solid performance from his team, head coach <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-malone">Michael Malone</a> was in a relaxed mood. But everything changed Monday night, as the New York Knicks delivered a dominant 27-point victory over the Nuggets at Madison Square Garden.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-malone">Knicks</a> bounced back in impressive fashion, thanks to standout performances from OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, lifting the spirits of Knicks fans following a tough loss to the Utah Jazz. On the other hand, the Nuggets struggled throughout the game in New York, unable to tap into the form they showcased against the Lakers—particularly from star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.



Malone was clearly frustrated by his team’s lack of effort in the loss, especially from his key players. During his postgame press conference, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Nuggets</a> head coach sent a stern message to Jokic, Murray, and the rest of the squad.



“Russell Westbrook is vocal, but we need more than just Russ. I need Nikola Jokic. I need Jamal Murray. I need guys who’ve been in that starting lineup to be vocal,” Malone said, reflecting on his team’s disappointing performance.



<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_20241126_BUS_280516_jokic-1024x576_c13d6694.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-264662" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets brings the ball down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder.</figcaption></figure>



Malone didn’t hold back in his criticism, emphasizing the team’s lack of effort: “Tonight, we got embarrassed. Let’s be honest, this wasn’t just a bad stretch this happened for four quarters, much like it did in the first half against Dallas. It’s been a theme, and we’ve been talking about it for 16 games now: effort, toughness, physicality. We saw this in Game 1 in Memphis.”


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<h2>Malone sent a wake-up call to his players</h2>



Malone’s message wasn’t just directed at his star players—he made it clear that the entire team needed to step up. “Regardless of who’s in and who’s out, who do we want to be as a team? Leadership would be great. Toughness and physicality would be great. Playing like you actually care would be great. But we didn’t do that tonight,” he said.



He gave credit to the Knicks for their intensity: “Give them credit—they were coming off a tough loss to Utah and they played like it. They played urgent, physical, desperate, and motivated basketball. We, on the other hand, played like we thought we’d just show up and win after our L.A. victory.“



<h2>The Nuggets’ struggles in numbers</h2>



Denver’s lack of intensity was reflected in their shooting numbers. The Nuggets shot just 44% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, while their free-throw shooting was one of the few bright spots, connecting on 92.6% of attempts. Despite their efficiency at the line, the Nuggets couldn’t keep pace with the Knicks’ relentless offense.



The Nuggets finished 41-of-92 from the field, 11-of-33 from beyond the arc, and 25-of-27 at the free-throw line. While Denver showed efficiency at the charity stripe, it was their struggles from the floor and the three-point line that ultimately cost them the game in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> regular season.

NBA News: Michael Malone sends clear message to Nuggets players on losing to Knicks

NBA News: Michael Malone criticizes Nuggets players for lack of support for Nikola Jokic

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

NBA News: Michael Malone sends clear message to Nuggets players on losing to Knicks - Bolavip US

The Denver Nuggets celebrated Nikola Jokic’s return to the court, but the result didn’t go their way. They fell 123-120 to the Dallas Mavericks in the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> Emirates Cup, and after the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone criticized his players for not providing enough support to Jokic.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic">Jokic</a> returned to action after missing three games due to personal reasons. The Serbian superstar made a spectacular comeback, recording a triple-double in the loss to the Mavericks, scoring 33 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists.



Following the loss, Malone didn’t hold back in his critique of the team’s reliance on Jokic. “I think a lot of guys exhaled because Nikola was back and expected Superman to carry the day, and that’s not fair,” Malone said. “Do your own job. Nobody’s gonna do their job.”



“I mean, Nikola obviously showed once again why he is the best player in the world,” Malone added. “He misses a week of basketball, three games, and he goes out and gets a triple-double and, you know, obviously a great game for him. But it’s never about the individual. We as a collective unit, myself included, you know, didn’t get the job done in the future.”



<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_20241123_BUS_278828_jokic-3-1024x576_175c3db2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-278835" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jokic-3.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets high fives head coach Michael Malone against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Malone addresses Jamal Murray’s struggles</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jamal-murray">Jamal Murray</a> has yet to rediscover the form that made him a key contributor in past seasons. While he dished out 11 assists in the loss, his scoring has been inconsistent, a concern for a Nuggets team that relies on his offensive output.


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Murray finished the game with 14 points, shooting just 4-of-16 from the field and 4-of-11 from three-point range. Malone acknowledged the need to help Murray regain his rhythm. “We gotta find a way, and I have to find a way, to get Jamal going,” Malone said postgame.



<h2>Jokic makes NBA history</h2>



Even in defeat, Nikola Jokic continues to cement his legacy. His triple-double against Dallas marked his return after a three-game absence and extended his streak to five consecutive triple-doubles. Jokic is now only the seventh player in NBA history to achieve this milestone, further solidifying his reputation as one of the game’s all-time greats.



The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Nuggets</a> will need to rally around their superstar if they want to contend for the title, but as Malone made clear, success starts with contributions from everyone on the roster.

NBA News: Former Nuggets teammate downplays Nikola Jokic in bold comparison to Karl-Anthony Towns

NBA News: Nikola Jokic misses key Nuggets teammate for multiple weeks

NBA News: Michael Malone criticizes Nuggets players for lack of support for Nikola Jokic - Bolavip US

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.”


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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 - Bolavip US

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.


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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.

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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.


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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.

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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.


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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.”


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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.”