Nuggets' Mike Malone throws shade at Lakers over 'going through proper channels' about fouls

Here’s some context to help you understand why Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone is throwing some shade here (and I think he’s joking, but it’s juuuust enough snark to consider it shade).

After a Game 3 in the Western Conference Finals in which LeBron James shot just a pair or free throws in the loss to the Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers head coach said — via the Los Angeles Times — “We’re dealing with the fouls through the proper channels with the league. I think he’s gone to the basket very aggressively, and I’ll just leave it at that.”

Fast-forward to Thursday. The Lakers shot 35 times from the charity stripe to the Nuggets’ 23 attempts. James took 14 free throws.

And Malone had this to say:

“We’ll watch the film and send our clips in,” he added, per the Denver Post. “We’ll reach out to the NBA and kind of make our points noted. … The NBA does a great job of listening. You hope that next game maybe some of those fouls are called.”

I don’t think he’s completely blaming the loss on the fouls, and of course if the Nuggets are reaching out to the NBA, they’re doing the same thing. But it’s a funny little poke at the Lakers there nonetheless.