Playing in the NBA is not for the weak. With the intensity of the league, competing at the highest level becomes a Herculean challenge. However, there are some who defy all odds and compete at a level that sets them apart. LeBron James and Jerry West are most certainly among them.

LeBron James is 38 years old entering his 21st season in the NBA. “The Kid From Akron” has defied all odds to not only play, but also dominate the league at his age. On his 38th birthday, James delivered yet another spectacular performance and claimed “I’m a f***ing dog” during that. However, just few months after this, Jerry West claimed he was far more than that.

Jerry West’s claim gets endorsed by LeBron James

Playing in the NBA at 38 is in itself a glorious achievement. The level at which LeBron James plays however, is unparalleled. The living legend played against the Atlanta Hawks on his 38th birthday. In a scintillating display of brilliance, James scored 47 points while also grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 9 assists. After a tough play in the game, LeBron was seen yelling “I’m a f***ing dog” claiming he’s an extraordinary competitor. However, when Jerry West claimed he is far more than that, James was in complete agreement.

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In a recent interview, Jerry West acknowledged the word “dog” coming up a lot to refer to players with a high competitive spirit. “And today….competitive people…the word dog comes up a lot,” said West. However, he claimed that he was better. “I was a wolf. I used to eat dogs,” claimed West. This interestingly, got a response from LeBron James himself.

James shared the clip of this interview and took to Twitter to weigh in on the same.

“FACTS!!!! Not 1 lie said!” wrote James in his tweet, acknowledging the legacy and competitive spirit of “The Logo”.

Jerry West got the stamp of approval from King but what makes him such a legendary competitor?

Jerry West was as intense as one can get

In the 196os, the Boston Celtics were inevitable. Teams would compete in the regular season each year, just to be embarrassed by the Celtics in the playoffs. The Celtics won a total of 11 championships during the 1950-60s era. However, the Los Angeles Lakers and “The Logo” Jerry West stood in their way in 6 of those.

Jerry West was an intense competitor. Lauded for his natural scoring ability, West was an All Star in every season he played in the NBA. He was a gifted scorer who averaged a whopping 27 points for his career and was nicknamed “Mr.Clutch” for his extraordinary ability to make big plays in key situations. West was an incredible competitor in the regular season but when it came to the finals, he was an absolute beast.

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West averaged an outstanding 30.5 points in the finals in his 9 appearances. He won his only championship against the New York Knicks in 1972 losing 8 times, 6 of those coming against the Celtics. In a career spanning 14 years, Jerry West never settled until he won the championship. His competitive spirit and relentless work ethic truly makes him a legendary competitor for the ages.