Nuggets coach Michael Malone gets tattoo to celebrate NBA title
Everyone celebrates differently, especially when it comes to a sports championship. However, after already going all out after the Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals, head coach Michael Malone has kept his own festivities going with a brand new personal addition.
A photo of the 51-year-old Malone started to circulate over the past few days. Following Denver’s 4-1 series victory over the Miami Heat, Malone added a shoulder tattoo of a former logo for the Nuggets, named Maxie The Miner. Instead of a pickaxe, though, Maxie is holding up the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Nuggets’ victory in the NBA Finals secured the franchise’s first championship, either in the NBA or the ABA.
As for Malone, he has been leading Denver over the past eight seasons. In total, he has posted a 404-301 record in his near decade in the Mile High City after coaching the Sacramento Kings for two years. The Nuggets have been knocking on the door in the Western Conference, specifically because of their superstar in Nikola Jokić, but finally broke through in 2023 in their fifth straight year of making the postseason.
Between the celebration after the win and the team’s championship parade, Malone has already had a ton of fun with the biggest accomplishment of his career. Even so, he has since added something to remember the moment by with a bodily commemoration of the achievement.
Insider sets the record straight on LeBron James’ supposed beef with Nuggets HC Michael Malone
The “beef” between NBA superstar LeBron James and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone may not be quite as intense as previously expected. The Athletic’s Shams Charania provided some insight on the relationship between the two.
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While on the Pat McAfee Show, Malone trolled James’ retirement rumors. “Speaking of the Lakers, this is breaking news, I’m thinking about retiring,” Malone joked, mimicking the superstar.
After hearing the comments, James took to Instagram to respond. He seemed somewhat frustrated with the joke Malone made.
“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,” James wrote. “Enjoy your light but just know I’m the SUN. I stay on forever!”
But in his own appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Charania provided some context on the “spat.”
“LeBron and Michael Malone (are) very close. So, I will say that. They have a good relationship, LeBron’s praised him in the past. I mean, listen, when LeBron’s in offseason mode, you know you’re gonna get some bars, some nice speeches on (Instagram).
“I just chalk it up to two people who like to have a little bit of fun in the offseason.”