LOS ANGELES.- The star LeBron James warned this Thursday that Kevin Durant is not the only threat Houston Rockets to which the decimated Los Angeles Lakers They must pay attention in the first round duel of the playoffs of the NBA.
The series, which begins Saturday in Los Angeles, has been presented as a renewal of a rivalry that dates back to 2008 and includes three confrontations in the Finals of the North American Basketball League.
In the 2012 Finals, the Miami Heat of James defeated Oklahoma City Thunder by Durant.
Five years later, the Golden State Warriors of Durant defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers of James in the championship series and repeated the feat the following season.
James has long expressed his admiration for Durant, his teammate on two Olympic teams. USA who won the gold medal.
But the 41-year-old veteran said the Lakers can’t afford to ignore Durant’s teammates.
“We know he’s the head of the snake,” James said. “But they are the Houston Rockets and they have very good players on their team.”
“Everyone who goes out on the court is a threat and we have to be prepared for that,” added the Lakers star, who highlighted Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith.
“More responsibility” for LeBron
The Rockets’ aggressiveness could be particularly difficult to counter for the Lakers, who will be without two key offensive pieces, Luka Doncic and Austin Reavesdue to injury.
Doncic has sought treatment in Europe in an attempt to speed his return from a hamstring strain and Reaves also missed the final stretch of the regular season with an oblique muscle injury. The return date of both is uncertain.
The Lakers coach, JJ Redickacknowledged that this puts even more responsibility on James’ shoulders, although he warned that the star is prepared to take on the challenge.
“We’re going to need him to create play. We’re going to need him to score,” Redick said. “We’re going to need him to defend and rebound.”
Durant, who came to Houston from Phoenix last July as part of a monumental seven-team trade, also downplayed any individual duel with James.
“It’s always great to play against great players,” Durant said.
“Of course, from the outside, for casual people who don’t experience this with us every day, yes, matchmaking is definitely fun,” he noted.
“Two great players who have been in the league for a long time. But everyone who is involved in this series knows it goes much deeper than that.”
