LeBron James paid respects to the Denver Nuggets and Michael Malone ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers' Western Conference Finals opener on Friday.
As the Lakers prepare for the Nuggets, James praised Denver for being a confident and resilient club, also applauding the work head coach Michael Malone has done with his team.
LeBron's relationship with Malone goes all the way back to his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Malone was an assistant with the Cavs in the 2000s, and James said he respects Malone's work ethic and ferocity:
“When you work hard on your craft and you see others working just as hard on their craft, it becomes organic and mutual respect,” James said, via Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports.
The Nuggets have had to scratch and claw their way to the WCF, but they now have the opportunity to play for a shot in the NBA Finals. Enter the Lakers.
Denver overcame a pair of 3-1 deficits in the first two rounds, including a shocking comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers that featured multiple come-from-behind victories in Game 5 and Game 6. Now the Nuggets will try to upend the Lakers and make their first-ever NBA Finals.
Malone fired back at his team's critics after the Nuggets forced a Game 7 against the Clippers, saying his team has earned the right to compete for an NBA title. The Lakers stand in the way.
James seems to agree with that sentiment, though he will do his best to ensure it is the Lakers who make it back to the Finals for the first time since 2010.
LeBron has been outstanding in these playoffs for the Lakers, dominating the Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals and setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
The four-time league MVP is hungry for his fourth championship, but he knows it will not be easy getting past Malone and the Nuggets.
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