Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone got the last laugh over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets bench boss discussed the narratives surrounding the two teams after Denver's sweep of L.A. in the Western Conference finals, focusing on the teams still in the hunt for a championship.
"Well if anybody's still talking about the Lakers in the NBA Finals, that's on them," Malone said. "They've gone fishing, we're still playing. The narrative should be on whatever two teams are still alive, because to get to that point is historical in nature for us. It's the first time in franchise history the Denver Nuggets have made the NBA Finals, and we're not satisfied with that. I just hope that the narrative is on the two teams that are representing their conferences."
Malone previously spoke about the narrative going against the Nuggets after Game 2, when the team successfully defended home-court advantage against the Lakers following adjustments towards the end of Game 1.
Denver then won both games in L.A. to eliminate the Lakers, who lost contests at home for the first time during the postseason.
The Nuggets will either meet the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Heat hold a 3-2 series advantage, but the Celtics are halfway to completing the first-ever 3-0 comeback in NBA history.
"Let's salute and appreciate the greatness of each and every one of those players on the court and let's appreciate the journey each of them has made to get to this point," Malone added. "We have guys, it'll be their first time in the Finals ... that should be the narrative. Let's get all the negativity out of the way because this is a tremendous accomplishment and I hope they're celebrated for that."
