Former Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov may not have had the longest or most glamorous NBA career, but his journey across the league and internationally gave him the chance to play alongside some truly elite talent. On the Jao Mile Podcast, the 37-year-old big man reflected on his career and revealed his list of the top five teammates he’s ever played with.
Mozgov’s list blended NBA superstars with European legends, showing the breadth of his basketball experiences. His top five teammates:
– LeBron James
– Sergei Monia
– Victor Khryapa
– Alex Shved
– Andrei Kirilenko
It’s no surprise that LeBron James headlines the list. Mozgov joined LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers midway through the 2014–15 season, arriving from Denver in a trade that helped stabilize Cleveland’s frontcourt during LeBron’s first year back with the team. That season, Mozgov became a key rotation piece as the Cavaliers stormed through the playoffs and reached the NBA Finals.
That Finals run ended in defeat to the Golden State Warriors, but it remains the pinnacle of Mozgov’s NBA career. He averaged 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds that postseason, with his performance in Game 4 of the Finals a 28-point effort standing as one of the most memorable moments of his time in the league.
After Cleveland, Mozgov signed a lucrative deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016, where he played one season before being traded. While his time in L.A. was short, he remains remembered for being part of the transitional phase between the Kobe Bryant era and the rise of the young core that would eventually help lure LeBron to Los Angeles two years later.
The rest of Mozgov’s list highlights his deep ties to Russian basketball. Sergei Monia and Victor Khryapa, both accomplished European players, were key teammates of Mozgov’s on the Russian national team, helping the country win a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a gold medal at EuroBasket 2007.
He also praised Alex Shved, his close friend and longtime national team running mate, who spent several seasons in the NBA before becoming one of Europe’s top scorers in the EuroLeague.
Rounding out the list was Andrei Kirilenko, perhaps the greatest Russian player of the modern era. Mozgov described “AK47” as a role model for an entire generation of players.
Mozgov’s career may not have reached the heights of his famous teammates, but his perspective reflects a unique journey, one that spanned continents, cultures, and basketball styles. From LeBron’s brilliance in Cleveland to the camaraderie of Russia’s golden generation, his list is both a tribute to greatness and a nod to the players who shaped his path.
