Bill Simmons: LeBron No Longer On Same Level As Giannis, Durant

Noted Celtics fanatic Bill Simmons seems determined to rekindle the fire that was once the NBA's fiercest rivalry, Lakers versus Celtics. Simmons used a recent podcast appearance to burn 36-year-old LeBron James of the LA Lakers, which may reignite the former fiery rivalry between teams on opposite coasts.

"I think that would be crazy to think he’s still on the Giannis/Durant level," said Simmons via The Lowe Post podcast. "I don’t see it."

Simmons was previewing the start of the upcoming NBA season when James' status as one of the game's top players was brought up. Though he still considers James to be amongst the league's elite, he doesn't feel as though LBJ belongs in the same breath as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant.

“I think he’s one of the best 10 players,” Simmons said. “I wouldn’t say he’s in the top two."

James is preparing for his 19th year in the NBA, coming off a season in which he averaged 25 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Those numbers weren't enough to move James into Simmons' top two.

"Put it this way: Could he have done what Durant did on that Brooklyn team last year? I don’t think so," Simmons told host Zach Lowe. "In that, when everybody got hurt, could he have carried them the way Durant did? I don’t think so. Could he have done what Giannis did in those last two-and-a-half rounds? I don’t think so.”

LeBron's social media habits over the years would lend one to believe that Space Jam: A New Legacy co-star Bugs Bunny isn't the only cast member with rabbit ears. That said, Simmons' doubt may be all James needs for a fiery run through the competition.

The Lakers and Celtics meet for the first time on November 19th in Boston.