LeBron James Doesn’t View Spurs as Rivals

Despite his history against Gregg Popovich and Co., and the fact that the Spurs got the best of him in two of those three series, (LeBron) James doesn’t classify the dynamic between him and San Antonio as a rivalry.

“I don’t want to say a rivalry,” James said after practice Tuesday, a day before the Cleveland Cavaliers will welcome the Spurs to town.

“I’ve had an opportunity to be in three Finals against them and it’s been extremely fun,” he said. “I’ve always loved playing against them and playing against Pop. That’s someone that I admire and I respect so much, obviously the Big Three as well. But I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry. But I would say it’s mutual respect, it’s great competition and they definitely helped me grow along the way and hopefully I pushed them, too.”

via Dave McMenamin of ESPN