Myles Turner on realizing LeBron James was for real

Myles Turner of the Pacers says he doubted whether LeBron James was as great as advertised until he actually played against the superstar.

There is a hot debate about where LeBron James ranks on the list of the greatest NBA players ever. Although most regard Michael Jordan as the greatest in league history, an increasing number of people believe the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is actually the greatest ever, or at least one of the three greatest players ever.

Many also believe James is clearly a better player than late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. However, there are those who cannot put James ahead of Bryant for whatever reason.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner was one of the latter. But he said when he actually played against James, his perspective changed (h/t Lakers Daily).

“I wasn’t a LeBron hater but I was like, ‘He Bron, he cool, he ain’t Kobe …’ until I actually played against him. One of the smartest (expletive) I have every played against bro … His influence on the game is crazy. His vision, people don’t talk about his vision enough bro. He doesn’t have to score to be effective, and that’s why he’s able to be in the league as old as he is today. He sees things before it happens.”

Turner also talked about a time when his team was running a play, only to have James call out every action it was about to carry out.

James, just as Bryant was, is an absolute student of the game, and he has been able to impart his knowledge of basketball, as well as his experience, to younger teammates to help season them and prepare them for success.