Lakers' LeBron James Names the Toughest Defender He's Faced During NBA Career

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said on the latest edition of the Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash that Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly known as Ron Artest) was "one of the best defenders" he ever played against.

James was answering a mailbag question from a fan asking James and Nash who were the greatest defensive players each of them had ever faced and why (4:30 mark).

"Oh my goodness," James began on Sandiford-Artest. "Really good with his hands. Laterally was really good. Strong as an ox. Played him in my early years when he was with Indiana. It was challenging for sure. One of the best defenders I've played against."

During James' answer, Nash, a two-time MVP, also said that Sandiford-Artest was "solid granite."

Sandiford-Artest later responded to James' praise in a video posted on social media:

Sandiford-Artest made two All-Defensive First Teams and two All-Defensive Second Teams during his 17-year NBA career. He won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2003-04 (which happens to be James' rookie year) after finishing runner-up the year prior. Overall, Sandiford-Artest finished top eight in the DPOY voting six times.

So he certainly has great credentials to support his reputation as a defensive menace. And now James' endorsement speaks volumes, of course, given his status as one of the game's all-time greats.