Zlatan Offers LeBron Help, Confident He Can Play Basketball With 4-Time MVP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not one to mince his worlds especially when he talks about himself. The Swede is the epitome of confidence and is never one to doubt his abilities.

Ibrahimovic’s latest comments see him offering help to the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James if they need him when the 2018-19 NBA season commences in October.

The Swedish striker has won league titles all across Europe with some of the best soccer clubs in the world, and since arriving in Los Angeles, has scored 12 goals in 15 appearances for LA Galaxy. He was, however, not talking about his soccer skills while speaking during an appearance on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption.”

Ibrahimovic referring to the sport as “basket” offered his services to James and believes he will be able to help the Lakers as he is “phenomenal” at any sport that involves using a ball.

“I did a lot of sport. Everything with ball, I'm phenomenal," Ibrahimovic said, as quoted on ESPN. "So if I played basket, I could play with LeBron, without a problem. And if they need help, I'll help them."

The former Manchester United and Barcelona striker also heaped praise on James, who is arguably one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport. He has won three NBA titles and is a four-time MVP and is now looking to win a title with a third different team having previously achieved it with the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

NBA is among the most popular sports in the United States — probably coming in at second place just behind the National Football League (NFL) with Major League Baseball (MLB) coming in third before soccer.

Ibrahimovic, however, believes soccer is bigger than “basket” — it may be so around the world but not in the USA — and despite that has vowed to go watch James play for the Lakers once the season gets underway in October.

"I think him, as an athlete, he's amazing, what's he doing, the way he's doing it," the former Sweden international added. "Because I see myself also being so big and move like a small ninja -- what he does also."

"I think of course I will see him play basket," he said. "I don't know if he's interested in soccer, even though soccer is bigger than basket -- with all due respect for basket."

Ibrahimovic, who played for United, was informed about James’ affiliation to the English Premier League. The American has an ownership stake at Liverpool football club, who are the Swedish striker’s former club’s arch rivals.

"I knew," Ibrahimovic said, shaking his head as per ESPN. "But it's the wrong team."

James’ move to the Lakers was confirmed earlier this month and Ibrahimovic welcomed the small forward in a fashion only the Swede can after he tweeted: “Now LA has a God and A King, Zlatan welcomes King James.”