INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Naghihintay ang apat na ulong scoring monsters sa pagdating ni LeBron James at ng Cleveland Cavaliers.

Gutom at may kinikimkim na ngitngit ang Warriors.

Walang pagtataguan si James at hindi rin niya kailangang takbuhan ang kasaysayan. Tangan ang karanasan na nilikha ng walong sabak sa NBA Finals, iginiit ni James na handa siyang sumagupa sa karibal na inihalintulad niya sa isang ‘halimaw’.

Sa kanyang unang pahayag matapos magapi ang Boston Celtics sa Eastern Finals, naglabas ng kanyang saloobin ang Cavs superstar kung paano niya magagapi ang matikas na Golden State na tinatampukan nina two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, dating scoring champion Kevin Durant at defense speacialist Draymond Green.

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“It’s probably up there. I mean, it’s up there,” pahayag ni James bilang tugon sa katanungan na ang ‘trilogy’ ng NBA Finals laban sa Warriors ang pinakamalaking hamon sa kanyang career.

“I’ve played against four Hall of Famers as well, too, with Manu (Ginobili), Kawhi (Leonard), Tony (Parker) and Timmy D (Tim Duncan) on the same team,” sambit ni James.

“And if you add Pop (coach Gregg Popovich) in there, that’s five Hall of Famers. So, it’s going to be very challenging. Those guys are going to challenge me, they’re going to challenge our ballclub. This is a high-powered team.”

Hindi rin kinaligtaan ni James ang Celtics na nagapi niya sa kabila ng matikas nitong line-up.

“I’ve played against Ray (Allen), KG (Kevin Garnett), Paul (Pierce), (Rajon) Rondo and Doc (Rivers). So, it’s going to be very challenging not only on me mentally, but on our ballclub and on our franchise.”

Kinasasabigan ang muling pagtatagpo ng Cavs at Warriors sa Final, ngunit ngayon pa lamang dehado na ang Cleveland sa Vegas bookies.

Ngunit, para kay James isang magandang palabas ang matutunghayan ng basketball fans.

Gaganpain ang Game 1 sa Huebes (Biyernes sa Manila) sa Oracle Center. Bilang top team sa regular season, hawak ng Warriors ang home court advantage sa serye.

“I only play blackjack in Vegas anyway, so it doesn’t matter,” pahayag ni James.

“I feel good about our chances,” aniya.