Almost every basketball fan around the world agrees to the fact that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is the consensus best player in the world. Many are giving a case for other players such as Kevin Durant or even Stephen Curry, both of the Golden State Warriors, as close seconds.

However, LeBron's former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Richard Jefferson thinks that the Akron-native is the best player in the world by a mile.

“Any time LeBron steps on the court, he’s the best player on the court. There’s a bigger gap than I think many people would really believe.” Jefferson said per Mark Stein of the New York Times.

Jefferson also said that he would not be shocked if James leads the L.A. Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers are featuring a young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma,  and Josh Hart. Moreover, the team added Rajon Rondo, Michael Beasley, Lance Stephenson, and Javale McGee, veterans that haven't exactly had the best of reputations in the league.

But if anyone can bring together and lead this oddly structured squad to a conference finals appearance, it has to be the best player in the world, LeBron James.

The 17-year veteran's opinions on the best player in the world debate certainly have to be taken seriously. Jefferson, who played with James in Cleveland from 2015 to 2017, certainly has had a first-hand experience of LeBron's leadership and guidance. Surely, he knows how the four-time NBA MVP handles his business on the court, and how he takes winning seriously.

Jefferson is currently unsigned to an NBA team, but he has not officially announced his retirement and remains hopeful to return this season.