Rockets GM Morey praises LeBron: 'He is the greatest ever in my mind'

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is known for his hardcore use of analytics, so it's safe to trust him when he discusses LeBron James' place in history - at least, statistically speaking.

Morey appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" Wednesday and said it'll be difficult to look past the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to James' arrival.

"I would expect, I hope, that we're ahead of them and I would expect Golden State to be ahead of them, but I would never count out a LeBron James team. He is the greatest ever in my mind," Morey said.

James and Michael Jordan are often interchangeably debated as the greatest NBA players ever. Not in Morey's mind, who puts the Ohio native at the top of his list.

"You look at his ability to generate wins and championship probability over time, and you basically break that down," Morey said. "You don't need all the numbers. You can watch as well and see that.

"But if you basically isolate that and also look at the career he's had, frankly, I think, at this point, it's become a bit of a big margin, actually, where he's come out ahead. I know that's a little controversial."

Morey was reportedly interested in acquiring James this summer before the four-time MVP picked the Lakers on the first day of free agency.