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LeBron James reveals the toughest NBA defender he ever faced, ‘strong as an ox’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 8:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is one of the most gifted offensive players in the history of the NBA.

This is evident from the fact that LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with over 42,000 points during his career.

It’s just one of his scoring records, but does it mean that the King has never been challenged by any defender? Certainly not, as the NBA has its fair share of excellent defenders.

Photo by: 2016 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Metta World Peace is the toughest defender LeBron James ever faced

Former LA Lakers star Metta World Peace is currently in the headlines, thanks to his proposal to take over the New York Knicks’ head coaching job.

World Peace is considered a candidate for the Knicks job due to his incredible tenacity and toughness. Speaking of which, World Peace was a talented defender during his playing days.

So much so that James named him as the toughest defender he has ever faced during a recent episode of the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast.

“Yeah, Ron Artest. Metta World Peace now. Really good with his hands, laterally was really good, strong as an ox. We played a game in my early years when he was in Indiana, I mean, it was challenging for sure.

“One of the best defenders I’ve probably played against. I had to go straight back to my early days. Ron definitely had you like, OK, this is what the league is about. OK, let’s continue to lock in,” James said.

The 4x NBA champion added: “This is a hell of a test for you as an 18-year-old kid out of high school with a target on your back. I was like, ‘Yeah, I love this. This is awesome.'”

Metta World Peace reacts to LeBron James’ shout-out

Artest may be five years older than James, but receiving praise from the 4x NBA champion is always a huge deal for former NBA players.

It was once again proven as World Peace was seemingly over the moon after learning what the King said about him.

“Shout out to the King! King James, in the building. Man, I’ve been giving the King some praise for a long time, even though I’m competitive, shoutout to the King for recognizing my competitiveness,” Artest said on his Instagram handle.

“But it was never disrespectful; it was just competitive. I always wanted to play against the best, that’s how I grew up in New York City, because I wasn’t always able to win these games and different things.

“…I already know I’m a Hall of Famer, but I appreciate the compliment,” the 2010 NBA champion concluded.

Artest has faced his fair share of trouble in the NBA, be it breaking Michael Jordan’s rib or the infamous ‘Malice in the Palace’ incident.

But underneath all that, World Peace has earned the respect of his peers over his 17-year stint in the NBA.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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