“No Disrespect”: JR Smith Makes Bold Claims About the 2019-20 Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers beat The Miami Heat to win the 2019-20 NBA title. This was LeBron James’ fourth ring, four years after he won the title with the Cleveland Cavaliers. So, which of these teams are stronger?

LeBron’s teammate on both teams, J. R. Smith, believes that the Lakers are the stronger team. While appearing on the CBS Sports’ “All Things Covered” podcast, Smith was asked, “Which one of your championship teams would win a head-to-head matchup?”

He replied, “This is with no disrespect to nobody, but I just think the size that we have — the Lakers have — we just didn’t have in Cleveland.

In Cleveland, we were grittier, we played a little harder, we were much nastier defensively, but the size with this Lakers team with [Anthony Davis] and Dwight [Howard], and being able to change the lineups with Markieff [Morris], we just weren’t that versatile [in Cleveland].

We could play multiple different ways in L.A., but in Cleveland, we only had to play one way … I think the Lakers team was just too big.”

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Can the 2019-20 Lakers beat the 2015-16 Cavs?

Many may cast doubts on whether the Lakers can guard Kyrie Irving.  But they successfully neutralized Damian Lillard, James Harden, and the most in-form player at that time, Jamal Murray. So Alex Caruso going against Irving would be fun to watch.

Danny Green against JR Smith would be an interesting matchup. Both are almost identical in play styles: 3&D. Either of them could come out on top, but Green has been a better defender. Despite 2016 LeBron averaging lesser points in the playoffs than 2020 LeBron, the age difference is too big to ignore. It is hard to pass on the younger and more athletic LeBron.

Anthony Davis against Kevin Love can only go one way. Love was an All-NBA level player during his Wolves days, but at the Cavs, his role decreased marginally. Davis is one of the best players in the league, and he would dominate Love.

Tristan Thompson against Dwight Howard would the final big man battle. Despite Howard having a great performance throughout the playoffs, but one can’t rule out the younger Thompson.

This hypothetical matchup would be worth paying for. LeBron and Kyrie against LeBron and AD would be an amazing battle. Who do you think would win in this matchup?

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