LeBron James responds to Michael Malone's retirement jab

LeBron James isn’t exactly thrilled with the consistent jabs from Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone over the last few weeks.

Malone is fresh off of leading the Nuggets to their first NBA title, but his mind has seemingly wandered onto James for some reason. The Denver leader has made multiple sly comments regarding the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, even though the Nuggets got the best of James’ Lakers on the court already, sweeping Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals.

Following the loss, James made it known he was taking some time to himself, and would think long and hard about retiring. All of this after he previously stated his intention to play until his son Bronny James entered the league, as he wanted to share the court with him.

Evidently, Malone isn’t taking any of James’ retirement talk seriously, as he went on The Pat McAfee Show and made a joke about his own retirement following the Nuggets’ victory.

“Speaking of the Lakers, this is breaking news, I’m thinking about retiring,” Malone joked, mimicking James.

Well, James has heard enough. He’s gone quiet since being eliminated by Malones’ team, taking a trip to Europe and popping up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, he took to Instagram to make a poignant statement following the Denver leader’s most recent comments.

“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!”

Damn. That’s a cold caption, and it’s pretty evident it’s directed right at Malone and the Nuggets. James is letting the basketball world know that regardless of who stands tall at the end of the season, the hardwood still revolves around him.

Ironically, that’s exactly what upset Denver in the first place, as the Lakers received ample media coverage following the Nuggets’ victory over them, while Malones’ team was barely in the headlines. It’s obvious Denver felt slighted, and it drove them to an NBA title.

Nevertheless, LeBron James isn’t retiring, no matter how much the basketball media wants to push that storyline. Next season’s showdown between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers should have some extra juice. Maybe it’ll be ring night for Mike Malone’s team, just to rub it in a little more.