The “beef” between <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nba/news/">NBA</a> 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.



While on the Pat McAfee Show, Malone trolled James’ retirement rumors. “Speaking of the Lakers, this is breaking news, I’m thinking about retiring,” <a href="https://thespun.com/nba/fans-are-loving-nba-head-coachs-clear-trolling-of-lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malone joked</a>, mimicking the superstar.



After hearing the comments, <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/lebron-james-responds-to-michael-malone-retirement-jab-denver-nuggets-los-angeles-lakers/">James took to Instagram</a> 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,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtkQa-9N7lN/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James wrote</a>. “Enjoy your light but just know I’m the SUN. I stay on forever!”



But in his own appearance on the <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1670836204152168448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pat McAfee Show</a>, 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.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">What's going on with LeBron James <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a>…<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/1DiTDXVzk0">pic.twitter.com/1DiTDXVzk0</a>— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1670836204152168448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



So, maybe there isn’t a ton of tension between the two, after all. It could just be harmless jokes between the two that got blown out of proportion. That never happens on social media, though.



<h2 id="h-michael-malone-wins-first-nba-championship">Michael Malone wins first NBA championship</h2>



Even if James was truly upset with Malone’s comments, it probably didn’t bother the head coach too much. He just led the Nuggets to an NBA championship.



Malone is in his eighth season as the leader in Denver, and ninth NBA season as a head coach. The Nuggets have been a playoff team and a Western Conference contender each of the past five years. But this was the year they finally put it all together.



This was Denver’s first NBA title in franchise history, and with a strong core intact — anchored by Nikola Jokic — it could be the start of something special for the organization.



So, regardless of how James actually felt, Malone is probably still all smiles. Who wouldn’t be after winning their first NBA title as a head coach?

lebron james michael malone

5GOATs

NBA insider sets the record straight on LeBron James' supposed beef with Nuggets HC Michael Malone

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