Laker Identifies Best Current NBA Player – And It's Not A Teammate

In a recent podcast appearance, Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell had an interesting comment that conceivably could have rubbed some of his Hall of Fame teammates the wrong way.

Conceivably, though they may ultimately concur with his assessment.

When asked who he thought was the best player in the league, the former 2015 No. 2 overall pick by Los Angeles said that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, the reigning Finals MVP, wears that current crown. 

“Yea, they got the best player in basketball. They got the best player in basketball on that team. No disrespect to nobody, he’s the best player in the NBA right now. Not even close.”

via D'Angelo Russell, The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone

It's a little bit surprising to hear Russell not mention either of his notable Laker teammates in LeBron James or Anthony Davis, but after the Nuggets defeated the purple in gold in last year's playoffs, some respect was definitely in order. 

Jokic defeated the Lakers in a four-game Western Conference Finals sweep to send the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals appearance (and win!) in franchise history. 

During the entire postseason, Jokic put up staggering numbers of over 30 points per game, nearly 14 rebounds a game and nearly 10 assists in dominating fashion en route to a Finals MVP award for the Serbian big man. 

The two-time league MVP and now reigning Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy holder showed the Lakers first hand just how dominant he can be after defeating them in the Western Conference Finals. 

D'Angelo Russell signed a new two-year contract to return to the purple and gold after an up and down postseason for the Lakers. 

Though he wasn't nearly as effective in the playoffs, Russell's regular season contributions to the team after his trade from Minnesota can't be ignored. 

The former Buckeye, along with many other key players from the previous playoff core will head back to LA to get some revenge on Jokic and company, but with the clearest most utmost respect for the Serbian superstar.