Programming note: Watch the Warriors take on the Suns tonight at 6 p.m. PT, streaming live on the MyTeams app.
The 76ers traded for Tobias Harris.
The Bucks acquired Nikola Mirotic.
The Celtics are still very dangerous.
"Those top teams in the East, yeah, they're going for it," LeBron James told Joe Vardon of The Athletic. "Toronto is going for it, Milwaukee's going for it, Philly. Boston believes they can do it, too. They know they ain't gotta go through Cleveland anymore.
"Everybody in the East thinks they can get to the Finals because they ain't gotta go through me."
Sports
LeBron ain't lying.
From 2011 to 2018, he went to eight straight NBA Finals. Eight straight!
The four-time MVP is now playing in the Western Conference for the first time in his career. And unless something catastrophic goes wrong in Golden State, LeBron almost assuredly won't be playing in June this year (especially with Anthony Davis staying in New Orleans).
If the Warriors -- who are the clear frontrunners in the West -- do make the Finals, it will be the first time they square off against somebody other than LeBron.
But that doesn't mean they will avoid him completely. Based on the current standings, a Warriors-Lakers first-round playoff matchup is a distinct possibility -- unless Los Angeles is able to consistently play like it did on Thursday night in Boston.
[RELATED: Eastern powers go all in at NBA trade deadline in pursuit of Warriors]
Whether the Lakers advance deep into the postseason or not, LeBron will be keeping his eye on what transpires on the other coast.
"I was excited seeing all the moves they made in the East," the three-time champion said. "Those matchups in the second round, in the Eastern Conference finals, that shi* is gonna be crazy. It's gonna be fun to watch."
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
