LeBron James addresses playoff duel with Nikola Jokic / News - Basketnews.com

LeBron James talked about the coming NBA playoff series between the Lakers and the Nuggets, where he'll be taking on Nikola Jokic.

Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. TerrillAP Photo/Mark J. Terrill Credit AP Photo/Mark J. TerrillAP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

The matchup between theLos Angeles Lakers and theDenver Nuggetsin the first round of the NBA playoffs has LeBron James going up againstNikola Jokic. Last season, the Nuggets swept the Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals.

3-pointers this season

37%11,7Points made:11,7Accuracy:37,4%Place in standings:25Record max:23Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Michael Porter Jr.TeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Game 1 between the Nuggets and Lakers is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on ABC.

Talking to the media before the practice for Game 1, he said, "When you have the ability to score at will, it makes your passing even more dynamic. We've had great passers in our league history. We’ve had great guys that are very unselfish."

"But if that’s all you can do, then teams can try to force you to score and kind of take that away. Guys like Luka, Magic in his prime, Joker, myself. If you try to take away our passing, we can still be effective. That’s what makes us so dynamic."

When a reporter asked about the level of confidence the Lakers hold right now, despite the Nuggets sweeping the regular season series and last year’s Western Conference Finals, James clarified that "it shouldn't be personal at all."

"I think you allow yourself to get away from the game plan when you make it too personal," he added.

"It’s how long you can just keep your mind even-keeled and keep the main thing the main thing," he concluded.

Denver’s coach Michael Malone talked to the media at the practice press conference, praising the 4-time champion.

"It’s year 21, and the guy is getting better…I hope he gets tired. I hope he wears down. But I've seen no signs of LeBron James slowing down by any means," Malone pointed out.

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