Video: Greg Oden says LeBron James was the best player in NBA history during his time with the Heat | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Former NBA player Greg Oden spent the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat, earning a front-row seat alongside superstar trio LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

And James, in particular, left an indelible mark on the former center.

“I still talk about it,” Oden said during an appearance on The Johnny Manziel Show. Glory Daze show with Almost Friday Media. “I saw LeBron James guarding someone with the ball in the left corner. They made a pass to the top of the key and into the right corner and didn’t even keep it. Just a quick pass. LeBron James was right there when it happened. the ball went to the other corner and I thought, “This is the best player on the planet right now.” And he really plays defense like that… I played in that game where he scored about 63 points, he was a creative player. Look, I’m Michael Jordan’s guy, I swear to God, but LeBron. James of the Miami Heat is the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball.”

Oden also talked about what it was like playing in a city like Miami, known for its nightlife.

“Scary,” he said as Manziel laughed (mark 26:54). “The first thing I said when I got to the Miami Heat was, ‘Don’t get in trouble.’ Me and Michael Beasley, literally, that was our thing. We hung out probably five nights a week because we thought, “We can’t have problems in Miami. We are on this team.” to reach the damn final. We’re going to get the ring. Just don’t screw it up.” … I definitely tried to stay away from South Beach because being on this team, I felt like it meant a little more and I wasn’t going to be the one to mess it up, especially after two championships.”

Oden, 36, was the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and famously made the selection one pick ahead of Kevin Durant. But his career was marred by injuries, and he ultimately played in just 105 career games, including 23 for Miami.

Despite his best behavior, Oden’s time with the Heat did not end with the ring: The Heat lost in five games to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, and James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers that summer. Oden never played in an NBA game, but his outing was definitely memorable.