Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, had high praise for LeBron James in the wake of losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 120-94 earlier this week. Kerr–who spent 15 years as a player in the NBA while winning multiple championships alongside Michael Jordan–said that LeBron is “probably the best athlete to ever walk this planet.”
It’s one thing to call someone the best athlete to ever play in the NBA since it first opened for business in 1946. It’s a whole different measure of praise to suggest that LeBron is the greatest athlete in the history of the human race. But that’s exactly where Kerr went with his compliments of James and you can count Richard Jefferson as someone who agrees.
While appearing on Jalen and Jacoby, the longtime NBA veteran offered his rationale for supporting Kerr’s claim.
Steve Kerr said that LeBron is “Probably the best athlete to ever walk this planet.” Find out if Richard Jefferson and Jacoby agree. pic.twitter.com/aAaIUcXnYl
— Jalen & Jacoby (@JalenandJacoby) November 14, 2019
“Well this is what I’m going to say–yes,” Richard Jefferson said when asked if he agreed with Steve Kerr on LeBron being the best athlete to ever live. “From this standpoint. I think basketball players are the best athletes on the planet. Start there.
“And I think, look, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, best basketball players, but as an athlete, LeBron is physically stronger than all of those guys. So I think Steve Kerr has a little bit of validation. Mind you, this guy also played with Michael Jordan.”
Beyond Michael and Kobe, there is most likely a contingent of older NBA fans who might also suggest that Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest athlete to ever live. But it’s certainly fair at this point to say that LeBron has earned a place in that conversation. During his 17th NBA season, James is currently leading the league in assists with 11.1 while also offering 23.9 points and eight rebounds and showing no signs of slowing down.
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