The NBA, like other sports leagues around the world, is a brutal and highly competitive league full of elite athletes. With the world watching over the stars and pressure like no other, everyone wants to win and have a shot at the coveted NBA title. Despite all the pressure in the world, there are still some players who put sportsmanship above winning accolades. One of them happens to be an NBA veteran who received LeBron James’ praise recently.

During a podcast, Utah Jazz star Lauri Markannen was asked to name the nicest individual he has played with. Showing no hesitation, the 26-year-old named an NBA veteran who recently compared himself with some of the GOATs, not only in basketball but football as well. LeBron agrees.

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Mike Conley has played 17 seasons in the NBA. Although he has no major accolades to account for, Conley has a unique distinction to his name. The 34-year-old has won 4 NBA Sportsmanship Awards. In a recent reel uploaded by Conley on Instagram, Markannen gave his thoughts on his former teammate.

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According to the Finnish star, Conley is the nicest teammate he has ever had. Interestingly, the man himself also had something to say about this.

“A lot of people know me as the only guy who has ever won four NBA sportsmanship awards, teammate of the year a couple of times. Its what I do. Bill Russell has what, 10 rings? Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, but how many people have four sportsmanship awards?” asked Conley.

LeBron James seemed to agree with Markannen. Sharing Conley’s reel on his Instagram story, the four-time NBA champion wrote, “The 1 and only good guy who finishes first!” Not James, but Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has won the award in the past. Curry won the Sportsmanship Award during the 2010-11 season. 

Donovan Mitchell doesn’t agree with Conley

Mike Conley will certainly go down in NBA history for his unique distinction. While James and Markannen seemed to agree with the claim that he is the nicest teammate ever, Donovan Mitchell feels otherwise.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star wrote, “Wait till they find out you curse out little kids on the game”, under Conley’s comment section. Conley and Mitchell spent three seasons together with the Jazz. However, the 34-year-old veteran did not win the award during his time alongside Mitchell.

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