LeBron James Gets Opportunity To See If Rookie Bennedict Mathurin Can Back Up Talk

Bennedict Mathurin said he was better than anyone, including LeBron, last June before the draft

Last June Indiana Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin did the unthinkable. 

In a pre-draft interview, the subject of LeBron James came up. Mathurin chose a different route instead of saying how he impressed he was with James. 

He took the opposite. 

"A lot of people say he's great. I want to see how great he is," Mathurin said. "I don't think anybody is better than me. He's going to have to show me he's better than me."

The chance is finally here. The Lakers play the Indiana Pacers tonight at 10:30 p.m., at Staples Center. So far, Mathurin has been good as advertised. He is averaging 18.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. 

Mathurin has since backtracked on his comments. He spoke of them at the morning shootaround. 

Bennedict Mathurin on his LeBron quote: “I think he's the best to ever play. People probably misunderstood what I was trying to say. Me just coming into the league, I won’t say anybody’s better than me. That’s me being confident.”

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“I think he's the best to ever play," Mathurin said. "People probably misunderstood what I was trying to say. Me just coming into the league, I won’t say anybody’s better than me. That’s me being confident.” 

James, who won titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, is still dominating at the age of 37. He never needs motivation but the comments from June should provide even more fuel. 

Should be one of tonight's must-see games. 

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