Steve Kerr praises LeBron James with ultimate compliment before play-in game

Steve Kerr gave Lebron James the ultimate compliment before Wednesday night’s NBA play-in game.

Steve Kerr had the highest praise for LeBron James ahead of Wednesday’s play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

Kerr knows LeBron’s playoff intensity as well as anyone. His team has taken the brunt of it numerous times.

During his pregame media availability, the Warriors head coach told NBC Sports beating LeBron is the greatest test an NBA team can face.

“He’s not only one of the all-time great players, but he’s one of the all-time smart players,” Kerr said. “When you coach against him, you have to account for him all the time.”

“He’s a brilliant mind as well as the greatest athlete on the planet, so that’s what makes him such a challenge to prepare for, but it’s also what makes it fun.”

That’s a true sign of respect between a pair of NBA champions and future Hall-of-Famers.

Kerr says beating LeBron is the ultimate challenge

Kerr and his Warriors have a well-documented history against LeBron-led teams, including four-straight NBA Finals clashes from 2014-17. The rivalry is renewed in 2021, though much earlier in the playoffs than ever before.

The Lakers and Warriors are battling it out for the 7-seed in the Western Conference. The loser will have to fight for the 8-seed, which will eventually have to face the Utah Jazz, who finished with the league’s best record this year.