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LeBron James Says Warriors 'Rank Right Up There' Among NBA's Best Teams Ever

Alec Nathan@@AlecBNathanFeatured ColumnistJune 3, 2017

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 1:   LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media during a press conference after Game One of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 1, 2017 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jack Arent/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LeBron James joined the chorus singing the praises of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday when he said they "rank right up there" as one of the best NBA teams ever. 

"I've seen a lot of great teams, and they rank right up there," he said, according to Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver. "They work well together. They have some guys that could actually lead a franchise without anybody else by themselves. They put you in tough positions defensively and offensively, so you have to be able just to keep your composure, stick to the game plan and try to execute as best as you can for sure." 

ESPN's Arash Markazi relayed video of James' comments: 

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi

LeBron James said the Warriors "rank right up there" as one of the best teams ever with "guys that could lead a franchise by themselves." https://t.co/mKd0Kwl5tg

James expressed a similar sentiment in the aftermath of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 113-91 Game 1 loss when he focused on how Kevin Durant (38 points) helped transform the Warriors into something of an unstoppable force. 

"I mean, you take one of the best teams that we had ever assembled last year, that we saw in the regular season and in the postseason, and then in the offseason you add a high-powered offensive talent like that and a great basketball IQ like that, that's what stands out," he said, according to Fear The Sword's Chris Manning

Like James, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue praised the Warriors after they downed the defending champions and made a strong opening statement. 

"They're the best I've ever seen," Lue said, according to CBS Sports' Sean Wagner-McGough 

When Game 2 tips off Sunday night (8 p.m. ET, ABC), the Cavaliers' task will be to make the Warriors look mortal. And if Game 1 was any indication, that figures to be a daunting proposition.