Two Years After Lakers Deal Led to Self-Doubt and Disrespect, 33YO NBA Star Admits Being Haunted by LeBron James

Over a two-decade spell, LeBron James has ascended to one of the most fearful players. It isn’t necessary that players tremble at the concept of facing him. However, it is his exceptional basketball IQ and his ability to execute that make it taxing to beat him, and it goes to a whole new stratosphere in the playoffs. In the postseason, The King unleashes his intellectual and skillful best. There have been many rivals who tried, but James often comes out with the crown on his head.

Two such stars who had to repeatedly go through the LeBron James experience exchanged their stories and explained just what makes it so hard to beat him. They spoke about James’ scary ability to call out plays and his single-handedly ‘blowing up’ systems to insert his domain into the game.

Why is LeBron James so hard to beat in the postseason?

It has been twenty years since LeBron James stepped foot in the NBA, and somehow even the game’s very best aren’t able to figure him out. Paul George and DeMar DeRozan were two opponents who each faced a different version of James, Nonetheless, the result never wavered, both had to suffer his wrath. George and DeRozan spoke about their own experiences, reliving the hell the 38-year-old icon gave them.

“Miami Bron, that motherf***** was incredible. The same as Cleveland. But at any given moment he could turn it on and get you 45, get a win,” said the Chicago Bulls guard about the greatness of LeBron James.

Before his move to the Bulls, there was heavy speculation DeRozan could be joining the Los Angeles Lakers. To him, it was a ‘done’ deal as reported by NBC Sports. But at the last moment, the Purple and Gold chose Russell Westbrook. Once the deal fell through, the 33-year-old was left with no choices. He received veteran-minimum offers, and DeRozan felt disrespected by those.

Ultimately, he signed with the Bulls. But a Lakers deal would have been a move of relief for the former Toronto Raptors star. Why?

James was responsible for breaking down both DeRozan’s Raptors and a young Paul George with the Indiana Pacers on his own. They both agreed the four-time MVP could do anything that was needed. It could be his conventional game or a monster triple-double, he was willing to do it all. But James’ most lethal asset is his IQ.

“There was moments where he would call sh** out when we playing him. Or he’ll just blow up the whole play like ‘Nah, it’s going over there’,” explained PG13.

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But just what was it that James did to these two that made it so hard?

How James punched through everyone in the playoffs

James is constantly adapting to the foes he encounters. He was arguably the most dangerous during his stretch with Miami and the second stint with Cleveland. George had a well-rounded Pacers side capable of challenging the best. But while they did push the Heat, LeBron James was the difference maker. His impact was decisive in all their encounters.

On the other hand, the Raptors lost their city to The King. The iconic ‘LeBronto’ was born in 2018 when he alone cut through the DeRozan-led side. There seemed to be no holes in his game at the time, and more than anything, he seemed to have a disturbing level of ease and comfort while doing almost everything on the floor.

Now as an older version of himself, James has found a different gear to still stay effective. He uses his IQ to bind everyone on the floor. He might not be as aggressive as he once was, but LeBron James still finds a way to be dangerous, a force to reckon with.

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At 38, he is aiming for his fifth title accompanied by a monstrous Anthony Davis. After a disastrous regular-season start, the Lakers have found their sync, but will they get the job done? Let us know what you feel in the comments below!