Fans and experts agree that Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets is the best player in the NBA right now. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers used to hold this title.

Even though James isn’t seen as the best player in the league right now, he is still one of the best in the NBA and is respected by many of his peers, including Jokić.

Before Saturday’s game between the Lakers and the Nuggets, Jokić made sure to knock James while greeting him before the game started. James was nine points away from scoring 40,000 for his career.

“You’re going to be stopped. It’s a joke that you’re going for eight points.

Of course, James made his 40,000th point on a driving layup with 10:39 left in the second quarter. 

This summer, James wants to win his second NBA title with the Lakers. He knows that the reigning champion Nuggets are in the way of getting to the Finals.

Even though James is 39 years old and almost done with his famous career, the rivalry between him and Jokić in the Western Conference has still a long way to go.