After the Nuggets swept the Lakers in last season’s Western Conference Finals, both teams had plenty to say and before you knew it, a beef had been born.
There were heated moments on the court – like when LeBron James and Aaron Gordon got into it – but the feud kicked into another gear thanks to everything that was said off the court.
in case you needed a reminder @KingJames pic.twitter.com/hFFW8TH6gQ
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 19, 2024
As we get ready for the LA-Denver playoff rematch, here are the key moments that led to Lakers and Nuggets being at each other’s throats:
MIKE MALONE INTRODUCED AS “THE LAKERS’ DADDY”
Once the Nuggets had swept the Lakers in last year’s conference finals, and then defeated the Miami Heat for the title, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was introduced as “the Lakers’ daddy” during the team’s championship parade celebration.
MIKE MALONE MOCKS LEBRON OVER RETIREMENT COMMENTS
After the Lakers had been eliminated by the Nuggets, LeBron James told ESPN he would contemplate retirement over the summer.
Mike Malone then made light of LeBron’s comments.
“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 said on The Pat McAfee Show.
LEBRON CLAPS BACK
LeBron James seemed to respond to Mike Malone via Instagram, although he did not mention Malone’s name.
“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 previously an assistant coach in Cleveland when LeBron was there.
ANTHONY DAVIS TAKES ISSUE WITH DENVER’S CHATTER
Speaking at the Lakers’ media day ahead of the new 2023-24 season, Anthony Davis spoke his mind about the Nuggets and called their trash talk “motivational”.
“There was just so much of that going on it was like, ‘All right, we get it, y’all won,'” Davis said. “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 training camp last October when he addressed the latest comments from Lakers players.
“Oh, they’re talking about us? That was what, four months ago?” Malone said. “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 sets the scene for a very spicy rematch in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday night.
READ MORE: Anthony Davis Connected to Knicks Amid Rumors of Major Lakers Shake-Up