Of course the player was trying to influence the action of the other player, he wanted to win the hand. He also BET when he made the statement.
Was it the comment, "Don't call I've got the nuts." the reason the other player folded or because he didn't want to call the bet or maybe he missed his draw and would have folded anyway.
In the USA, table talk like this, heads up, is common. I've been told it's uncommon in the UK and Europe, is that true?
Lying about your hand IS poker, it's part of the game. If I had the nuts, I wouldn't advertise it, I would make a bet and silently wish the other player would raise.
Heads up, with teh other player facing a bet, the comment or some variation of it, is acceptible and very common. With a third person in the hand, even if that person is all in, no comment would be acceptible.