Former NBA star Danny Green admits it was both a ‘gift and a curse’ playing alongside LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history—if not the greatest—as evidenced by his illustrious résumé, which includes being the league’s all-time leading scorer.

There is no doubt that playing alongside James provides many advantages, as teammates often get their fair share of opportunities to shine on the court. However, they must also be ready to step up and perform when needed.

Danny Green, a three-time NBA champion who played alongside James during his stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, recently appeared on the “All The Smoke” podcast and opened up about the experience. He described it as both a “gift and a curse” to play with the four-time NBA champion.

While James has always been an athletic marvel, he also possesses one of the highest basketball IQs in NBA history. His deep understanding of his teammates’ strengths sets him apart from other players.

“Even if the coach is like, ‘Yeah, I want Danny to cut here,’ [LeBron’s] like, ‘Yeah, but I like him over here better. This is where his spots are.’ He knows what they can do, where their best spots are. He wants you where you are best at. And he is going to find you there too, ‘cause he knows they are going to double. If they don’t, he’s going to kill you,” Green stated.

LeBron James and Danny Green join John Salley and Robert Horry as the only players to win NBA championships with 3 different franchises. pic.twitter.com/qDPqPWYRw6

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) October 12, 2020

“He made the game very easy. But also, there are times where it’s not as easy because there’s so much pressure—even if you are wide open—to execute the play because you are playing with LeBron James. And that’s more so from the outside than it is from the inside, because LeBron ain’t putting the pressure on you. But all the LeBron fans are like, ‘Who’s this bum? Why is he playing with LeBron?’ You know what I’m saying? So, you know, it’s a gift and a curse,” he added.

Green, who has played with several superstars during his 14-year NBA career—including Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis—admitted that playing alongside LeBron is something he cherishes to this day.

“It was a lot of fun learning from him early on. A lot of fun playing against him, and then even better to play with him. And then it was the bubble, but winning the championship with him? It was great, man. So I couldn’t ask for a better scenario,” Green concluded.

Selected as the 46th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 NBA Draft, Green went on to play for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Memphis Grizzlies during his career. In addition to three NBA championships, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2017.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.