Nuggets fans still can’t get enough of beating Lakers, apparently.
During Tuesday night’s 119-107 opening-night win, Denver fans at Ball Arena let the Lakers hear it when a “Who’s your daddy?” chant rang out.
The Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals last year en route to their first NBA title in franchise history.
“I think we controlled the game the whole time,” said Nikola Jokic, who had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Murray added 21 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20, Aaron Gordon had 15 and Michael Porter Jr. had 12.
All of LA’s starters also scored in double figures, led by James’ 21 points in 29 minutes — his playing time is being monitored at the start of his 21st season.
James ended up playing about five fewer minutes than he’s used to.
“I mean, I always want to be on the floor,” James said, “especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or feel like you can make an impact. But I guess there’s a system in place and I’ll follow it.”
The NBA title win over the Heat didn’t come without plenty of fanfare, however, as James said during the series that he was contemplating retirement.
Denver head coach Mike Malone didn’t seem to be a fan of the timing of it all.
“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you guys to know — this is breaking news — I’m thinking about retiring so don’t tell anybody,” Malone said jokingly on the “Pat McAfee Show” after the Nuggets won the title.
During the Nuggets’ championship parade and celebration, Altitude Sports host Vic Lombardi even took a shot at the Lakers when he introduced Malone.
“He came into this world as the son of a coach, but in these playoffs, he became the Lakers’ daddy,” Lombardi said.
But not long after that, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham clapped back at Denver.
“Oh, wow. You’re gonna bring up Money Mike, man? The Lakers’ daddy? That’s what they call him now? The Lakers’ daddy?” Ham said on the “#thisleague UNCUT” podcast with NBA reporters Marc Stein and Chris Haynes.
“God bless his soul,” Ham added. “This s–t ain’t over. God bless his soul.”
But, before the season opener, Nuggets players said they weren’t focusing on any offseason beef.
“I’m not sure about the offseason talk,” Michael Porter Jr. said Monday, according to the Denver Post. “I haven’t heard anything.”
“That’s all for you guys,” Jamal Murray added. “I just go play basketball and have fun.”
The Nuggets and their fans seemed to have plenty of fun with a ring ceremony and a Game 1 win Tuesday.
— with AP
Read more
