The NBA Playoffs have arrived, and one of the most intriguing first-round matchups features two-time MVP In a rematch from the Western Conference Finals the previous year, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s all-time top scorer.
In the series, Denver easily defeated the Lakers, winning all four games to win the team’s first NBA title. In the regular season, the Nuggets triumphed in all four of their matchups with Los Angeles, carrying on their winning streak over the Lakers.
Nonetheless, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets in the 2020 Western Conference Finals, winning all five games to secure their own championship.
Despite the recent history between the teams, James doesn’t think it’s relevant this year and thinks the talk has been a bit much.
“I think you’re putting a little bit too much emphasis on it,” James told ESPN on Thursday. “This is our first-round comparison. We are eager for the postseason, after all. However, I haven’t exactly been anticipating the rematch. This is the matchup, and this is how the game is played. We are eager to take on that challenge.
James said that he doesn’t think there is a rivalry between the two clubs. It should not be at anyway personal. When you take it too personally, I believe you let yourself stray from the plan. We have a strategy. You execute it in the real world and accept the consequences. You just need to maintain your composure.
On ESPN, the series begins in Denver on Saturday night.
