Getty Image / Harry How
In the middle of May, the Denver Nuggets met the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
The Nuggets ran into little resistance in the series, sweeping LeBron and company out of the playoffs.
Luckily, the two sides have made things a bit more entertaining off the court during and after the series.
Mike Malone complained about the coverage the Lakers were getting during the series and then took a shot a LeBron during the Nuggets’ championship parade by saying he was going to retire.
At the parade, Malone was crowned the “Lakers’ Daddy” by a local broadcaster.
LeBron James has since been reportedly to be “pissed” at Malone and using that as motivation for next season.
It turns out he isn’t the only member of the Lakers’ organization that is fired up about the chance to take on the Nuggets again next season.
During a recent appearance on the “UNCUT” podcast, Ham had some choice words for Malone and the Nuggets.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham joins the #thisleague UNCUT podcast LIVE from the NBA Summer League and talks about the Lakers being accused of "flopping" during their series against the Warriors with @ChrisBHaynes and @TheSteinLine.
FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/S8FuvV54q5 pic.twitter.com/QT5i2Hxecn
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) July 12, 2023
“Oh, wow. You’re gonna bring up Money Mike, man? The Lakers’ daddy? That’s what they call him now? The Lakers’ daddy? God bless his soul. This s—t ain’t over. God bless his soul,” Darvin Ham said.
The Lakers have had a successful offseason since the sweep. They managed to keep their core intact by re-signing Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. They also made a couple of solid additions, bringing in Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince to bolster their lineup.
The Nuggets losing Bruce Brown Jr this offseason could also help the Lakers make things more competitive next season.
Still, they’re going to need to be a whole lot better during the 2023-24 season if they are going to get revenge against the defending champions.
Whoever ends up getting the upper hand, it looks like things are going to be heated between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers next season.