NBA Rookie Trash Talks LeBron James, Claims He Won't Be Starstruck When Playing Against Him

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LeBron James has been playing in the NBA longer than Cody Williams has been alive, but the 19-year-old Utah Jazz rookie is not intimidated by one of the greatest players in basketball history. In fact, Williams is throwing jabs in James' direction before playing one minute of meaningful NBA basketball.

Williams, along with plenty of other young players in the Association, couldn't have ever imagined they'd be entering a league where James was not only still playing, but still dominating. The soon-to-be 40-year-old averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game last season for the Los Angeles Lakers and is undoubtedly still a Top 10 player in the NBA today.

Numbers are just numbers, however, at least according to Williams.

"I’m in the NBA for a reason. He still has to guard me, too," Williams told Fox News.

"But also, I’m in the NBA. I was drafted at 10 for a reason. I’m not going to be starstruck at all; going to obviously respect him but going to go at him and let him know I’m supposed to be there, too."

NBA rookie Cody Williams isn't intimidated with LeBron James.  (Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Williams coming across with so much confidence when talking about one day matching up against James. Perhaps the only disingenuous comment is him saying that he won't at all be starstruck when sharing the floor with arguably the greatest player to ever step foot on the hardwood.

Given that Williams wasn't even alive during the first couple of NBA seasons for LeBron, it's fair to assume that he didn't necessarily look up to James like he did other young superstars around the league while he was growing up.

Williams enters the league this season after a strong one-and-done campaign with Colorado where he averaged just shy of 12 points and three rebounds per game. 

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the world of professional golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.