DeMar DeRozan reflects on losing to LeBron James, acknowledging mutual respect despite past playoff defeats.
DeMar DeRozan recently shared his thoughts on losing repeatedly to LeBron James in the playoffs, explaining why it never really troubled him. Across several postseason battles between 2016 and 2018, DeRozan’s Toronto Raptors fell to LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers, yet the four-time NBA All-Star views those losses with respect rather than frustration. In a candid interview on the Run Your Race podcast, DeRozan discussed the dynamic of facing one of the NBA’s greatest players and why competing against LeBron didn’t feel like a setback to him.
LeBron James’ Dominance Over Eastern Conference Rivals
LeBron James has been a towering figure in the NBA for over two decades, making him one of the most dominant athletes in basketball history. At 40 years old, LeBron has secured four NBA championships and made 10 Finals appearances, including eight consecutive trips from 2011 to 2018. His career highlights also include winning titles with three different teams and overcoming a historic 3-1 deficit in the 2016 Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. This consistent excellence explains why losing to LeBron during that period could be viewed as an expected outcome for many Eastern Conference players and teams.
Inside DeRozan’s Take on Repeated Playoff Defeats to LeBron
Host Theo Pinson framed DeRozan’s playoff history by calling attention to how the Raptors lost to LeBron’s teams three years running while holding the No. 1 seed. He asked DeRozan directly,
Image of: DeMar DeRozan
“Getting to that season when y’all were the No. 1 seed [when DeRozan was on the Toronto Raptors], you lose to Bron three straight years.”
DeRozan responded with genuine amusement, calling LeBron “my podnah, bro,” and acknowledged the mutual respect between them rather than bitterness.
He explained,
“The mutual respect that we have for one another, competing at a high level. If I had lost to Joe Schmo, if it was anybody else [it would be different].”
This statement reflects DeRozan’s understanding that being bested by one of the greatest players in NBA history is something he accepts rather than resents.
The Raptors’ Strong Teams and Close Contests Against the Cavs
During DeRozan’s tenure, the Raptors were a consistently strong team featuring key players such as Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valančiūnas, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby. They reached 50 or more wins for three straight seasons, including a franchise-best 59-win campaign in 2018 when they earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite their success, the Raptors struggled to overcome LeBron’s Cavaliers in the playoffs. In 2016, they finished just behind Cleveland in the regular season and were tied in the Conference Finals before the Cavs won decisively in the final games. The Raptors were swept by Cleveland in the following two postseasons, which extended LeBron’s streak to 10 straight playoff wins against DeRozan’s squads.
DeRozan’s Perspective on Chances to Defeat LeBron
When asked to reflect on which of those years he believed the Raptors might have beaten LeBron, DeRozan was candid. He admitted the team felt confident in the last two seasons but conceded that, ultimately,
“s*** is Bron at the end of the f***** day, man.”
This acceptance highlights DeRozan’s respect for LeBron’s skill and competitive edge rather than dwelling on frustration from the losses.
It would be fair to think DeRozan might feel some resentment toward LeBron or the Raptors’ subsequent championship win after trading him for Kawhi Leonard. However, DeRozan remains grounded and appreciative, not allowing past playoff outcomes to overshadow his perspective. He continues to give credit to LeBron for his longevity and dominance in the game.
DeRozan noted,
“Most of these motherf****** wouldn’t stand a chance against 2016 Bron. People forget, the man been doing this 22 years, something we never seen in no sport to be able to dominate as long as he has … To still do that at that level…”
Looking Ahead for DeRozan in Sacramento
DeRozan’s career remains strong after recently finishing his first season with the Sacramento Kings, following the trade from the San Antonio Spurs. Known for his consistent scoring and competitive fire, DeRozan continues to be a key contributor at the professional level. While comparisons to LeBron are inevitable, DeRozan embraces his own identity on the court as one of the league’s reliable scorers. His clear-eyed respect for LeBron only adds to his reputation as a thoughtful, mature athlete capable of facing challenges with optimism.
