The Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season opening against the Denver Nuggets isn’t for another three weeks, but after hearing the defending champions talk all summer, L.A. already sounds prepared.

Denver coach Michael Malone was presented as “the Lakers’ daddy” during the team’s parade celebration after the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals and went on to upset the Miami Heat for the title. Malone also made fun of LeBron James’ comments after the loss to Denver, when he told ESPN that he might consider retiring during the offseason.

“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 remarked when he appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

Anthony Davis, speaking to Spectrum SportsNet on Monday during media day, described all of the trash language as “motivational.” “There was just so much of that going on,” he continued, “that it was like, ‘All right, we get it, y’all won.'” But Bron and I were saying things like, ‘We can’t wait [to play them again.'”

Lakers guard Austin Reaves was likewise offended by the Denver debate.

“I think everybody knows it was pointed at us,” Reaves said following the first practice of training camp on Tuesday. “They can do it indirectly if they want, but I believe it was very clear to the public eye.” That’s why everyone was discussing it.”

In June, James appeared to address Malone on Instagram, although without naming his former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach. “I hear I’m on your mind a lot, huh?” I mean, I guess I get why… Enjoy your light, but remember I’m the SUN.”

The next month, Lakers coach Darvin Ham spoke on the “This League Uncut” podcast and declared, “This s— ain’t over.”

Reaves believes the back-and-forth will only heighten his team’s excitement for the Oct. 24 opener at Ball Arena.

“You see stuff,” Reaves explained. “I try my hardest to stay off social media and not look at all that stuff.” To me, I approach every game the same way I approach the first game versus them. However, I believe it provides a little drive to go play really well. That’s all there is to it.”

Reaves, who was limited in practice as the Lakers aim to ease him into camp after representing Team USA at the FIBA World Cup during the summer, hopes the Lakers can play spoiler when the Nuggets lift their championship banner to the rafters.

“I was happy to see Denver as the first game,” Reaves remarked. “It should be a big night for them.” You bow down to them. They played a great series against us and then won it in the Finals versus Miami, so you have to give them credit. But, at the end of the day, we can go score a win on their ring night. Obviously, we don’t want to ruin their day [totally], but we want to get our season off to a good start.”

L.A. was one of the league’s hottest teams heading into the conference finals against Denver, going 18-6 from the end of the regular season through their play-in tournament win over Minnesota and first-round victories over Memphis and Golden State, before it all came to a halt against the Nuggets.

Denver won the four games by a total of 24 points, as Los Angeles failed to hold many second-half leads.

“I’ve actually thought about [the series] quite a bit because everyone you talk to brings it up,” Reaves stated. “‘What could you have done to win a game?'” Nobody was thrilled when we was swept. We were obviously dissatisfied. I’ve given it a lot of thought.

“I just think that with the way that they were together for a full year, it really showed down the stretch against us — fourth quarters especially.”

The Lakers responded to the loss by providing their squad the opportunity to develop continuity like the Nuggets, re-signing Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell in free agency; extending Davis and Jarrett Vanderbilt; and returning seven players from last year’s team.

“Having those returning players helps us,” Ham stated on the first day of training camp. “[They] collaborate with us to communicate what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball; it just speeds up the process.”