The Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James dominated the NBA since his arrival in 2003. There is probably no one who has felt this more than Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan.
James has been so good, it almost feels like he is had several peaks during his first and second stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as his days with the Miami Heat. And that’s not even including how great he was as a member of the Lakers.
The Story of DeMar DeRozan vs. LeBron James Before the Lakers
Since his NBA debut in October 2009, DeMar DeRozan has played 43 regular season games and 14 playoff games against LeBron James. Of those 43 playoff games, DeRozan has only beaten James and his team 12 times. In the playoffs, DeRozan has only beaten James twice in the 14 games they have played.
DeRozan’s only two playoff wins over James came in Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. After that, the Raptors lost 10 straight playoff games to James and his Cleveland Cavaliers, including two sweeps.
Jeff Teague later notes that he has never won a playoff game against James, which is correct. Teague is 0-12 in playoff games against LeBron James, while posting a 5-21 record in 26 regular season games against him.
Can’t beat LeBron James, says DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan recently joined the 520 podcast, hosted by former NBA player Jeff Teague, to discuss several topics as the NBA season approaches. Among those topics is Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Teague and DeRozan have both played James 69 times in the regular season and 26 times in the playoffs. James has won 57 of those 69 regular season matchups and 24 of those 26 playoff matchups.
“I’ve said it many times: that son of a bitch was simply impossible to beat.” DeMar DeRozan said of LeBron James. “Yeah, that’s exactly what happened. It’s just… It’s just… Shit, there was no other way.”
Teague’s co-host then asked DeRozan if he thought the Raptors teams of the era were just a piece away from a legitimate championship run.
“No, man,” DeRozan said. “I’ll be honest. No. My brother was just, at that time… I have fights with people because, just like they ask me what I do, [LeBron] “He was the best and he’s like the Miami Bron and the second Cleveland Bron… Man, he controlled everything from top to bottom. When you stepped on that floor, it was tough, man. He’s one of the greatest for a reason.”
Related NewsThe article continues below
In his second stint with the Cavs, James averaged 26.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists against DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors in the regular season. He increased those numbers to 31.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game on 52.8 percent shooting from the field.
At almost 40 years old, James is still performing well against the best. This year, he will have the chance to play alongside his son, Bronny James, following his selection in the 2024 NBA draft.
And now that DeMar DeRozan is a member of the Sacramento Kings – one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest rivals – he will once again be able to play against LeBron James and his Lakers four times a year.
The first Lakers-Kings game of the 2024-25 regular season will be on October 26 in Los Angeles. They will play a second and third time in Sacramento on December 19 and 21, respectively. The final meeting of the year between the two teams will take place on December 28, back in Los Angeles.
