Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has recently received high praise from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and point guard Damian Lillard.
First, Antetokounmpo said he believes James is the greatest basketball player of all time.
“Some people might say he’s No. 2, but other people like me, I say he’s No. 1 and he’s still going to keep going,” Antetokounmpo said.
Additionally, Lillard believes people will appreciate James’ longevity even more once he retires.
“I think people are going to look back on these jobs in 20 years, or however long it’s been, when it’s over, I think they’re going to have a lot more respect,” Lillard said. “For those of us who are involved in it like I am, and the rest of us who do this job, we have to put our bodies through it, we have to deal with the pressure, we have to perform well, all of those things have to go with what we do. Consistent. Personal life, I think people like us respect that.
“But when the game is over, I think you, the fans who just watched it, will respect him even more in the future.”
Finally, Antetokounmpo said James has set a good example for other athletes.
“For 21 years, you’ve never been in trouble, been able to accept your family, protect this family, raise your children the right way, you know, be happily married, all of that perfect,” he said. “He kind of sets the blueprint for the rest of us moving forward. That’s what I want. I want to be able to do what I do on the field consistently, perform well, stay healthy and provide for my team Helping, being able to, you know, raise my family and live as normal a life as possible away from what I did for them on the field. Stay out of trouble.
“Hopefully one day, you know, when I’m done playing basketball… maybe you’ll mention me? I don’t know. But he set a blueprint for all athletes coming into the NBA to follow.”
Antetokounmpo played all 10 seasons in the NBA after being selected by the Bucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. In the 2022-23 regular season, he played 63 games on behalf of the Bucks, averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. The 28-year-old shot 55.3 percent from the field and 64.5 percent from the free throw line.
The forward’s gaudy numbers last season earned him his seventh career All-Star selection and a first-team All-NBA selection.
Lillard, meanwhile, is entering his 12th season in the NBA, his first with the Bucks after spending the first 11 seasons of his career as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. season. In the 2022-23 regular season, he played 58 games with the Trail Blazers, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
Lillard was traded to the Bucks in a three-team trade, acquiring DeAndre Ayton, Jrue Holiday (subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics), Tumani from the Trail Blazers Kamara, a 2029 first-round pick and two first-round pick swaps.
Antetokounmpo and Lillard were classy in their praise of James’ storied NBA career. But James still has a lot of energy, as evidenced by his outstanding performance with the Lakers last season.