LeBron James Says 2023 Nuggets Are Not The Same Team The Lakers Faced In The Bubble: “We Come In With The Utmost Respect For This Team…”

LeBron James looks ahead to matchup vs. Nuggets in Western Conference Finals.

4 Min Read

Credit: Fadeaway World

A few years removed from their 2020 championship run, the Lakers are sitting in a familiar position. Now in the Conference Finals, the remaining four teams are a perfect match to the final four teams during the bubble, including the Lakers, who are set for a rematch against the Denver Nuggets.

While many Lakers fans are confident that their squad can move past these guys again, LeBron James didn’t go that far in his recent chat with the media. Instead, he demonstrated respect for the Nuggets and the body of work they’ve put together all season long.

“They’re a better team. Obviously, they’re more experienced. Every game, every matchup allows you to grow as a franchise and as a team and they’ve done that. We come in with the utmost respect for this team and I’m looking forward to the matchup.”

It sounds like LeBron is determined to avoid unnecessary trash talk, and it’s probably for the best. The Lakers have, of course, looked really solid as a unit heading into this series, but the Nuggets have been the better team all season, and they will not back down against anyone, not even King James.

The biggest difference is probably the roster, which now includes guys like Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Bruce Brown, among other names. There’s also Jamal Murray, who is back to playing at an All-Star level after major shooting struggles. They also have more experience with their previous runs having ended short.

Obviously, the biggest factor of all remains the big fella himself, Nikola Jokic. While his game is still the same as it was years ago, he has gotten even better as a player and leader for his team.


Which Team Will Win The Western Conference Finals?

Ultimately, this series is a true toss-up. Both teams have star power, both teams have depth, and both teams have a balance of shooting, size, and interior defense that will make them difficult to beat. In the end, however, one has to wonder how LeBron James and AD will hold up with so much pressure to step up every game.

“The Lakers have two elite stars in James and Davis and incredible depth, meaning the team is extremely deep with talented players across the board,” wrote Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar. “However, they were the 7th seed for a reason, and the Nuggets have consistently been the team to beat in the West. Denver handled a Phoenix Suns team with two elite stars rather handily, so the Lakers could be in trouble in case James is not able to play 100% every game due to age or Davis struggles with foul trouble. Jokic could be a problem for Los Angeles because they don’t have enough big man depth behind Davis, and if Murray and Porter show up, it will likely be over with the Nuggets making their first Finals appearance.”

The Lakers no doubt already have a game plan for this series, but they will not fall into the trap of underestimating the opponent that’s in front of them. After all these years, LeBron knows better than that… 

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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