LeBron James Drops Great Quote About Future of NBA After Stretch of Battling Top Young Stars

You don't have to be LeBron James to recognize the long-term future of the NBA is shining a little brighter lately, but it certainly does help the narrative thrive if that's who's complimenting the league's newbies.

After defeating Zion Williamson and a Pelicans team stocked fully with his old (young) Lakers teammates for the fourth time this year (Zion was involved twice), LeBron took to the podium to make it clear how proud he's become of the league's young elite.

The King says the future is bright ? pic.twitter.com/jAyvz4Y6wv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 2, 2020

"The league is in great hands with guys like Zion, Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, and the list goes on and on," Bron said, heaping praise on exactly the right group of guys.

The King's been in perfect position lately to see the rise of all of these young superstars, too -- he faced off with Tatum in a rivalry renewal session last weekend at Staples, and has battled Ja and Zion (x2) in the past week's time.

These young legends are particularly representative of the league's legacy. Williamson, Morant, Doncic, and Tatum are perfect next-generation superstars, and Young has nearly embodied Kobe Bryant's erratic genius in his second season, stepping up an extra level since the legend's tragic passing.

New story: Ja Morant calls LeBron James “big bro.” LeBron calls Ja a “special kid.” After Morant and the Grizzlies beat L.A., LeBron said the next wave of stars in Ja, Zion, Tatum, Trae and Luka have the league in a “very good place” https://t.co/Yt4V0V9b2o
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 1, 2020

James isn't anywhere close to surrendering his crown, but he's well aware he's got challengers on the horizon. And if he's proven anything during his recent battles, he's more than ready to step his game up when these young pups arrive on his doorstep.