The Los Angeles Lakers take on Denver Nuggets in the NBA Western Conference Finals and LeBron James has delivered a strong message ahead of Game 1.
Lakers' star LeBron James has said the Denver Nuggets are a “better” team now than the one the Lakers faced in the 2020 Western Conference Finals which his team won in five games.
LeBron James ready for new-look Denver Nuggets
“They’re better, but they were great then, and they’re great now,” James said during Lakers media availabilty.
“Joker has gotten two more years under his belt. Jamal has gotten back to his regular form after the injury. And the rest of those guys are playing exceptional basketball.
They’re a really really, really, really good team. Every game, every postseason, every matchup allows you to continue to grow as a franchise, as a team, and they’ve done that. So we come in with the utmost respect for this team.”
Lakers eliminate reigning champions Warriors, set up Western Conference clash against Nuggets
Big picture
The Nuggets came into the post-season as No. 1 seed in the West after winning 53 regular season games and defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs and the Phoenix Suns in the conference semifinals.
Denver is undefeated at home in this postseason and has an overall record of 8-3.
Related content
01:30 - 15.05.2023
NBA PLAYOFFS Jayson Tatum sets new record as Boston Celtics knockout Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers
The Boston Celtics will face the Miami Heat after knocking out Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers.
13:59 - 12.05.2023
Can Lebron James lead the Lakers to success?
The Lakers entered the playoffs this season by the skin of their teeth. They had a disastrous beginning to their season, losing 10 of their opening 12 games despite having high hopes of a top six finish.