LeBron James knew what the Los Angeles Lakers were getting when they drafted Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee. However, the longtime NBA superstar was not expecting the team to have a shot to draft the Vol star.

During Knecht’s lone season in Knoxville, James was vocal at times in his appreciation for Knecht’s game. After a career-high outburst Tuesday night in a win for the Lakers, James was asked about the aspects of Knecht’s game that made him take notice.

Needless to say, James had plenty to say, even if it was a bit NSFW. He went on to describe that he did not expect the Lakers to even have a chance at Knecht, though he’s grateful the Tennessee star fell to LA.

Check it out:

“I don’t know. The same shit I said last year,” said James. “Everybody on the internet called me a liar all the time. They say I lie about every-f—ing-thing. So what am I now? I’ve been said it. I watched him, I watched Tennessee a lot.

“I didn’t think he was going to fall to us. I thought it would be impossible. I have no idea how that happened, but very grateful. Very happy he’s here. I knew exactly what we were getting when we took him at 17.”

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Tuesday’s outburst by Knecht included a game-high 37 points, a new career high while tying a rookie record with 9 made 3-pointers in the win. Knecht has seemingly found his stride across the last four games with double-digit scoring in each one.

Knecht’s range is also dialed in while making at least 50% of his 3-point attempts in 5 straight games. He’s now averaging 11.3 points per game and is up to 46.4% shooting from deep across his first 14 NBA games.