In a recent episode of his newly launched podcast, “Mind the Game,” LeBron James, the NBA icon, explored the subject of influence in basketball, placing a spotlight on Stephen Curry and Allen Iverson as game changers.
“Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering it.”
– LeBron James
(Via @mindthegamepod / https://t.co/eMJVhkLIS5)
pic.twitter.com/0dIpBZUcIh— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2024
The podcast, co-hosted by LeBron James and J.J. Redick, provides a rich narrative dissecting the strategic metamorphosis of NBA games.
It was here that Redick reminisced about the mantra back then, of being 19 points up by the start of the fourth quarter, and relying on starters to pull in the win.
This practice hardly finds a mention in the contemporary NBA landscape.
“I believe in ’08/09, whenever that little light-skinned f***** came in the league, he changed that whole narrative.
He single-handedly changed the ‘no lead is safe.’
It’s like Pat Mahomes right now.”
LeBron reveals his interpretation, attributing significant changes to Iverson and Curry”s influence.
According to him, these two figures have had the most significant impact on the NBA out of all the players he”s observed.
LeBron noted that most prospective basketball players won”t be able to envision themselves as James or Durant.
“When it comes to influence since I’ve been watching the game… Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering it.
One, they’re 6″3″/6″4,” [laughter], if you want to look on the back of the basketball card, you know you always a lot taller on the back of the back of the basketball card.
Allen Iverson and Steph., they were just so relatable, and kids felt like they could be them.
They were guys that was not always counted on, they were small in stature, and they just defied the odds.
“So you got AI, who’s like unbelievable crossover, cornrows, arm sleeve — everyone wears an arm sleeve now because Allen Iverson — and he’s going into trenches, laying it up over bigs, whatever the case may be.
And now you have Steph, who’s shooting over the Empire State Building.
Those two are the two most influential when you play the game, how they changed the game, and the [impact on] kids, those are two guys that you just wanted to watch every single night.”
.@kingjames and @jj_redick talk about Steph and AI’s unmatched influence on the game.
Full episode: https://t.co/U6VEagopwW pic.twitter.com/kq5rlfdtmm
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) March 19, 2024
These two are blessed with physical advantages that far supersede the norm.
Aspiring to be Victor Wembanyama is equally challenging for the same reasons.
However, when it comes to Iverson and Curry, young players see themselves reflect in them, owing to their normal human size but extraordinary abilities.
Adding another dimension, LeBron shed light on Iverson”s impact off the basketball court.
Iverson introduced hip-hop culture to the NBA, thereby shifting the league”s atmosphere.
News
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Got Embarrassed In The Weight Room After Joining Her Fever Teammates For Their Workout Grind
Caitlin Clark (Photos via @YahooSports/X) Caitlin Clark recently had some difficulty with a certain exercise in the weight room, and it was caught on camera. Clark is having a great rookie season with the Indiana Fever on a personal front but could…
Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend is catching heat for his performance at competition with her teammates
Many said he was not taking it seriously while other thought that was his true self X: @StrollerAdam It was an off day for the Indiana Fever on Sunday and the players decided to spend it having fun with a competitive game…
Video: Caitlin Clark Plays Pickleball vs. Fever Teammates Erica Wheeler, Lexie Hull
Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark took to the pickleball court on Sunday alongside her peers. Clark joined Fever teammates Erica Wheeler and Lexie Hull in a series of pickleball matches on Sunday. The three WNBA…
Weeks After Caitlin Clark Incident, Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese Might Fall in Bad Books of Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike’s Faithful
The Chicago Sky’s playing style is relentless. However, on more than one occasion, the WNBA world has seen their passions get the better of them. It is holding especially true for the Barbie-Chen duo of the team: Angel Reese and…
VIDEO: New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu Takes Big-Time Shot At Caitlin Clark After Stunning Loss To Her Indiana Fever
Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark (Photos via @SNYLiberty & Getty Images) New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu took a big-time shot at Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever following Saturday’s stunning defeat. Despite a strong performance from Sabrina Ionescu (22 points, three rebounds and…
Caitlin Clark exposed by her teammate during Indiana Fever’s press conference praising her humbleness
Caitlin opened up after making history Caitlin ClarkAP Caitlin Clark continues to amaze in the early stages of her professional career, earning the respect of sports experts. This year’s WNBA rookies are exceptional, drawing more fans to women’s sports. A lot of this excitement comes from the outstanding performance of the Indiana…
End of content
No more pages to load