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LeBron: Warriors are 'the most healthy team I've ever seen in NBA history'

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors' magical run to last season's NBA championship - their first in 40 years - was heavily influenced by the good fortune the roster had in regards to staying healthy.

It's clearly not the only reason they ended the year with the Larry O'Brien trophy, but having reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry (80 games played), Klay Thompson (77), Harrison Barnes (82), Draymond Green (79), and Finals MVP Andre Iguodala (77) each on the floor for more than 76 regular-season games - and throughout the playoffs - certainly helped their cause.

LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers weren't as fortunate when they squared off with Golden State in the Finals, as Kevin Love missed most of the postseason after dislocating his shoulder, while Kyrie Irving left Game 1 with a fractured left kneecap.

"They've been healthy. They've been the most healthy team I've ever seen in NBA history and they have great talent," James said Monday about the Warriors, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Cleveland's injury woes have carried over to this season, with Irving, Mo Williams (ankle), Iman Shumpert (wrist), and Timofey Mozgov (shoulder) all missing time, putting more pressure on "The King" to carry the team. His 32.9 usage percentage is James' highest since his first stint with the Cavaliers ended in 2010.

The 30-year-old forward wishes his squad could maintain a clean bill of health like the Warriors, if only to know how they would perform at full strength when meaningful games begin in April, May, and possibly June.

"I'd much rather be on the other side and having guys in the lineup, having guys healthy," James said. "I've always heard that saying of, 'Is it a blessing that guys are out and guys can step in?' I think it's good for some of the guys that don't get to play as much - they get an opportunity. But at the same time, I'd much rather be full and know what we're going to have and play at a high level for most of the year so we know what we can fall back on at the end of the season."

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