LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court during a timeout due to a goal being knocked out of position during action against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Vogel: LeBron is the 'greatest player the basketball universe has ever seen'

6 years ago
Pool / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers bench boss Frank Vogel has only coached LeBron James for one season, but he's seen enough to anoint the superstar the GOAT.

"He's the greatest player the basketball universe has ever seen. And if you think you know (otherwise), you don't know until you're around him every day," Vogel told reporters after the Lakers' championship-clinching Game 6 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Vogel added: "You're seeing his mind. You're seeing his adjustments. You're seeing the way he leads the group. ... It's just been a remarkable experience coaching him."

The head coach said his constant back-and-forth dialogues with James during film sessions and before games revealed a unique side of the 35-year-old that's relatively unknown to most people.

"Decisiveness is an incredible quality to have," Vogel said. "To have his mind and be able to use him as a resource. ... to collaborate with decisions on how to move forward with our group.

"I don't know if there's one or two instances you can point to. But just every damn day in film, he's leading the charge with getting our team better. I don't think people can undervalue that."

James led the Lakers to their first NBA title since 2010. The native of Akron, Ohio, was named Finals MVP for the fourth time and is the first player in league history to win the award with three different teams.

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