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DETROIT – JR Smith and Kyle Korver know what it feels like to be against LeBron James.
Wednesday night, when the 2-13 Cavaliers will receive the Lakers when LeBron returns to Cleveland, things will feel a little differently. James has played with the Cavaliers in the past four seasons and has won the 2016 NBA Finals. He then left Cleveland in the summer for the second time, signing an agreement with the Lakers.
The NBA summit four times and three-time NBA champion has already reached its peak.
The Cavaliers are the worst of the NBA 2-13 this season after the 113-102 Pistons defeat at Detroit on Monday night. James and the Lakers are not dominant. But they play a lot better, winning seven of their last 10 games and are 9-7, which is good for a share of the seventh-seeded Western Conference with the New Orleans pelicans.
But Wednesday will be a different match for both teams.
The Cavs have a video tribute to James scheduled for the start of the game. And since James plays for the Lakers, it will be his only trip to Cleveland this season.
And Korver expects a gracious atmosphere within Quicken Loans Arena.
"I think it's going to be really positive, overall. And that should be, says Korver.
He also humorously referred to the kind of attention that James's return should have.
"It could be sold. People may be watching on TV, "he joked.
But he also talked seriously about playing with James meant for him. Korver entered the NBA in 2003, the same year as James. And the two clashed several times.
Wednesday, it will be different. The Cavs acquired Korver in January 2017 and the talented 3-point shooter had a first-hand look and the chance to work with a player that his teams had been trying to defend for many years.
"I think I know his personal side now. I've always had an incredible respect for his basketball side. But knowing him as a person too, I think we will feel it, "said Korver. "He is the best player in the world and I think we all have a lot of respect for him: we stay inside and watch his habits every day. We know how he directs and how he really cares about a lot of people. . "
With this knowledge, however, the place for more Korver jokes came.
"We know all its tendencies and we will remove them all. We all have his secrets, "he joked. Smith, who has played with James longer than Korver, has expectations similar to those he hopes to see on Wednesday night. The Cavs brought Smith into a three-team contract in January 2015.
Smith also played a role in the Cavaliers by defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA finals, giving Smith his first championship. He, Channing Frye, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are all that's left of this team.
And even if James is on the other side, he often stays in touch with Smith.
"I talk to him a lot, not just basketball, but life. Obviously, our families have become extremely close. So I talk to him often, "said Smith. "It's going to be fun (Wednesday). I think it's going to be a good atmosphere. I am sure he will receive a nice homage and a welcome from the city. So I'm excited. "
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