Celtics’ Brad Stevens compares LeBron James to Tom Brady: ‘I’ve learned not to doubt the greats of all time’

12th Annual ESPY Awards - Show

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 14: Winner for Best Breakthrough athlete, basketball player LeBron James is greeted on stage by quarterback Tom Brady at the 12th Annual ESPY Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on July 14, 2004 in Hollywood, California. This year's ESPY's will air Sunday, July 16th on ESPN beginning 9 PM EST/6 PM EST. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)Getty Images

BOSTON - When asked about LeBron James’ continued success late in his career, Celtics coach Brad Stevens didn’t have to look far for a comparison point Saturday.

“I’ve learned not to doubt the greats of all time. Everywhere I turn right now people want to talk about Tom Brady in New England. He’s 43 and going to another Super Bowl,” Stevens said. “The bottom line is if anything, LeBron has continued to improve. You see it in so many different areas in so many different ways. I thought he was fantastic in the bubble and I think he’s just picked right up off of that. There aren’t many guys like him who can play this well, this late, but there weren’t many guys like him before he got to this point.”

James is only 36, but while football players tend to age faster than basketball players in most cases it’s a little different for quarterbacks. Plus James has been in the NBA since he was 19 and has averaged 38.3 minutes per game over his 17+ seasons.

He’s averaging 25.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 33.1 minutes per game so far this year.

Stevens was even more effusive on Friday.

“He is as special as special gets. He would be a multiple-time more MVP award winner if people weren’t bored and looking for other things to discuss,” Stevens said of James, who does have four Most Valuable Player honors. “He’s been the best player in the league for however many years now. He’s an amazing offensive player. His ability to pass, drive downhill, shooting a career-high percentage from three, he just keeps getting better and better.

“Obviously, he’s physically what you would want in a defender. He’s got great size. He can guard one through five. He knows what’s coming before it happens. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him,” Stevens continued. “We’ve had some playoff series that were pretty one-sided against him, and one that went down to the wire. It just makes you appreciate him more as the years have gone on. I think he’s played as well in the last year and a half as I’ve seen him play.”

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