“LeBron James is the best player in the world, want to beat him”- Giannis Antetokounmpo has high praise for Lakers star

Giannis Antetokounmpo says that LeBron James is the best player in the world. But at the same time, he wants to beat him.

If there’s one thing Lebron James proved upon capturing his 4^th title in October, is that he is still the best player in the world, going into his 18^th season.

Prior to the 2019-20 NBA season’s commencement, LeBron was the brunt of every joke because he failed to make the Playoffs the previous year. Fast forward a year later and he’s claimed his 4^th Finals MVP.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on the other hand, was watching James hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy over his head, from his living room couch.

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Watching LeBron dominate the Heat prompted him to give LeBron the ultimate compliment.

Giannis gives his props to LeBron James and says he is the best player in the world

While on the Greek cable, Cosmote TV, Giannis dishes on who he believes is the best player in the world.

With no hesitation, he says, LeBron is of course a great opponent, and I want to beat but he is the best player in the world right now. It doesn’t matter who is MVP, he is the best. I say so, he is the best in the world.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo on COSMOTE TV: “LeBron is, of course, a great opponent and I want to beat him and he is the best player in the world right now. It doesn’t matter who is the MVP, he is the best. I say so, he is the best in the world”. pic.twitter.com/C3jyBS9HKK

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 1, 2020

Giannis clearly has the highest amount of respect for LeBron as he calls him his “idol”. So much so that in this same interview, Giannis claimed he would want to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

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Giannis makes his pick for the 2020-21 MVP

Circling back to the MVP discussion, the 2x MVP said, “MVP, I would vote for Lebron first and then Luka after, LeBron brings out my competitive self and I want to beat.”

These are 2 very conflicting statements as in the same interview, Giannis claimed he would essentially want to team up with LeBron, but the claims he also wants to beat him.