'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAgACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABjAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgcQAAMAAQQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABQYhBxESFBUxAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEQABAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMhAAQRMRJBsf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Ax7gXFuDZeyYPya4tKxyr/cNBaxtmxE2dIqQfbB1YhB12e9X0fBW/pKaplb1FQoCydsMsgH4pLEH1Gmmj3DrqH1pSo45HeDqO6Q1DaSIgajyv/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has always held LeBron James in high regard. However, this respect apparently manifested itself as fear when the Spurs came to play the LA Lakers back in 2018.
James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. As the league's all-time leading scorer among many other things, James has earned the respect of players and coaches alike.
Having been in the NBA for 20 years, James has spent a lot of time playing against several teams and coaches. One particular coach that has seen LeBron turn into the figure that he is today happens to be Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
Given that James spent most of his career in the East, LeBron and Pop only faced off a couple of times during the regular-season. However, finals bouts between Popovich's Spurs teams and LeBron's Cavaliers and Heat teams were grounds for the two sharing mutual respect for each other.
This dynamic saw a slight shift in 2018 when James shocked the world by coming over to the West Coast and joining the LA Lakers. James' arrival practically shook the league at the time, and it definitely had an impact on Popovich.
Back in 2018, Gregg Popovich shared a hilarious remark about facing LeBron James and the LA Lakers in LA. He said:
"It was horrifying to see LeBron’s face outside my hotel room,” Popovich said. “It was a big picture of him. Last night and all day today I gotta look at this guy putting his headphones on. He’s already big and now he’s monstrous. I was scared to death. I was scared to look out my room.”
LA went all out to show love for James upon his arrival. This meant billboards and murals everywhere. Needless to say, the impact this has on anybody coming over could be drastic.
Popovich's Spurs eventually came out on top during the game in LA. However, LeBron was still in the early stages of cementing his legacy as a Laker.
LeBron James is a force to be reckoned with
LA Lakers superstar LeBron James has often been criticized for not being "feared" among players in the NBA. However, several coaches, analysts and other players have come forward to negate this statement.
Gregg Popovich has repeatedly mentioned how difficult a task it is to coach against James. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has also attested to this sentiment after repeatedly facing off against the superstar in the NBA Finals.
James' sheer presence on the court makes him a threat on the offensive end. As a prolific scorer and playmaker, LeBron is capable of creating chances for himself and everybody on his team. If this wasn't enough, his basketball IQ only adds to the overall package.
Although the criticism still stands, James seems to have risen above it. With the superstar still dominating in year 20, LeBron remains a force to be reckoned with.
