LeBron James has insisted that the Miami Heat are fully aware that the San Antonio Spurs do not like them ahead of the NBA finals meeting between the two teams.
After San Antonio booked their spot in the finals by edging out the Oklahoma City Thunder, veteran forward Tim Duncan claimed that they would "do it this time" when questioned about last season's 4-3 defeat to the same side in the finals.
James does not believe that the comments were personal, and he insists that the defending champions are facing the team they wanted to battle for the title.
"They don't like us, they don't. I can sense it from Timmy's comments over the last couple of days," James told reporters. "They wanted this, they wanted us and we'll be ready for the challenge.
"Once you get on the floor, you've got to play. We're confident. We're not shying away from them. We want them, too.
"I don't think it's personal. Like they said, we left a sour taste in their mouth."
Miami reached the finals by beating the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Callum Mulvihill
