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The pettiness between LeBron James' LA Lakers squad and Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone has been on a different level lately. After the Nuggets took shots at the Lakers in their parade, James had a message on Instagram that hints at Denver's coach.
James posted a photo on Instagram of him waving a flag for his events with Le Mans. In the past weeks, he's been staying in France as he's been named an honorary starter for 24 hours. In the caption, LeBron hinted at the pettiness of the Nuggets coach, letting him know that he lives rent-free in his mind.
"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.
During the Nuggets' championship parade, Malone was introduced as the "Lakers' daddy" for sweeping them in the conference finals.
"He came into this world as the son of a coach, but in these playoffs, he became the Lakers' daddy!" Denver Nuggets sportscaster Vic Lombardi said.
You might also be interested in reading this: "Shoot the f**king ball!" - When a 21-year-old LeBron James shouted at an NBA veteran after he refused to take a wide-open shot
Mike Malone used to coach LeBron James in Cleveland
Despite the intense rivalry between LeBron James and Mike Malone, not many know the fact that the two have worked closely together. Back when James had his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Malone was one of the assistant coaches that helped him be a developed star.
Malone started his career as a coaching associate for the New York Knicks in 2001. Two years later, he was promoted to assistant coach, where he began working closely with players and the coaching staff. Following his stint in New York, he was hired as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers in 2005, before leaving to join the Orlando Magic as assistant coach.
The Cavaliers had a promising run during 2007 when LeBron led the team to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs and failed to add significant help to surround their star. Both Malone and James left Cleveland in 2010 to join different teams in Florida.
Malone talked about his time coaching the four-time champion during their Western Conference Finals series.
"I would not be a head coach if it wasn't for those five years in Cleveland. I would not be a head coach if Mike Brown did not let me coach... and because we won, and because I had a relationship with LeBron, Mike Brown let me coach."
In the end, it went back to Malone and James going against each other in the conference finals and showing how competitive they are.
Guess the Lakers players!
