The closest thing to prime LeBron James

[SUPERVILLAIN]

I'm talking about playing style. Who's that player?

Magic Johnson? Scottie Pippen? Grant Hill? Andre Iguodala? Ben Simmons? Luka Doncic? Giannis? Else?

[70sFan]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

[falcolombardi]

magic?

big forward, great handle, goat tier at transition, ok but not great shooter (magic probably peaked higher here), efficient and brillant passer (magic probably more so) but lebron was a superior scorer and a much stronger defender at peak

[falcolombardi]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

[70sFan]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

He was quite good for a brief period of time, but he was also low IQ player (lots of turnovers, questionable shooting selection) who didn't work as hard as he should have (which is opposite to James). He also struggled with injuries in the NBA.

Here is a video breakdown I did some time ago:

Watch on YouTube

Amazing talent, but wasted potential unfortunately. His one handed jumpshots were incredible though.

[DQuinn1575]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

He was quite good for a brief period of time, but he was also low IQ player (lots of turnovers, questionable shooting selection) who didn't work as hard as he should have (which is opposite to James). He also struggled with injuries in the NBA.

Here is a video breakdown I did some time ago:

Watch on YouTube

Amazing talent, but wasted potential unfortunately. His one handed jumpshots were incredible though.

McGinnis was an incredible athlete, an All-American in football as well as basketball. He was a man among boys in high school, one of the most dominant forces ever, then played 1 year at Indiana, scoring 30 ppg.
He dominated the ABA in 75, was co mvp with Julius.
When he and Julius played together in the SIxers, it was sort of like Wade & LeBron at the beginning in Miami - they overlapped skills and playing some, and didnt do well together.
When they did get their act together in late 77, McGinnis then shot terribly in the playoffs. Every game the announcers would say McGinnis is in the throes of a terrible shooting slump - looking it up he shot in the 30s in FG% 3 series in a row.
That seemed to shake his stature a little, as he got a lot of the blame of a talented team not winning, and seemed to not get better.

Bottom line is he was a guy who completely dominated everyone physically when young, but didnt adapt his game as he reached the highest level. He was still talented enough to do well in the NBA.
But if you rank everyone of how good they were and how pro ready they were as a senior in high school, he's probably a Top 20 guy of all-time, maybe higher.

[SUPERVILLAIN]

My pick is Scottie Pippen. Two-way, athletic point forward.

[Dr Positivity]

Grant Hill seems like a good pick

[Freighttrain]

Luka but with insane athleticism and a lesser reliable shot

[No-more-rings]

From rookie season up to about 2011 or 2012, Wade and Lebron played almost exactly the same way.

[Doctor MJ]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

If we’re talking style, I think is it’s McGinnis.

If we’re talking about how good a player is as a half court inside out facilitator, Jokic.


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[Colbinii]

Young Wade was the easiest answer but LeBron added so many tools and wrinkles to his game after 2011 that the similarities from 2013-2020 aren't as clear or apparent.

I'll go Magic, but nobody possessed the combination playmaking, IQ, scoring ability and rim attack as James.

[70sFan]

In terms of style of play? 1975 George McGinnis

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

If we’re talking style, I think is it’s McGinnis.

If we’re talking about how good a player is as a half court inside out facilitator, Jokic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why do you think Jokic is a closer comparison to James as a playmaker than someone like Magic or even Luka?

[Doctor MJ]

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

If we’re talking style, I think is it’s McGinnis.

If we’re talking about how good a player is as a half court inside out facilitator, Jokic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why do you think Jokic is a closer comparison to James as a playmaker than someone like Magic or even Luka?

Reasonable point. I was thinking in terms of LeBron's use of power, which Jokic has, but Magic & Luka don't as much.

Realistically style-wise, Doncic is the close LeBron comparison though, and perhaps a better choice than McGinnis.

[Doctor MJ]

how good was mcginnis ? most people i see talk about him seem to see him as a sort of empty stats player who "failed" alongside dr J

If we’re talking style, I think is it’s McGinnis.

If we’re talking about how good a player is as a half court inside out facilitator, Jokic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why do you think Jokic is a closer comparison to James as a playmaker than someone like Magic or even Luka?

Reasonable point. I was thinking in terms of LeBron's use of power, which Jokic has, but Magic & Luka don't as much.

Realistically style-wise, Doncic is the close LeBron comparison though, and perhaps a better choice than McGinnis.

[70sFan]

If we’re talking style, I think is it’s McGinnis.

If we’re talking about how good a player is as a half court inside out facilitator, Jokic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why do you think Jokic is a closer comparison to James as a playmaker than someone like Magic or even Luka?

Reasonable point. I was thinking in terms of LeBron's use of power, which Jokic has, but Magic & Luka don't as much.

Realistically style-wise, Doncic is the close LeBron comparison though, and perhaps a better choice than McGinnis.

I think Magic's power game is extremely underrated. He bodied up big guys like Pippen or Majerle with ease and I've seen him posting up even massive dudes like Karl Malone. When you take a look at comeback Magic who mostly played at center, he could bang up with any non-center despite shot athleticism. Peak Magic wasn't weaker physically than the old man.

[Doctor MJ]

Why do you think Jokic is a closer comparison to James as a playmaker than someone like Magic or even Luka?

Reasonable point. I was thinking in terms of LeBron's use of power, which Jokic has, but Magic & Luka don't as much.

Realistically style-wise, Doncic is the close LeBron comparison though, and perhaps a better choice than McGinnis.

I think Magic's power game is extremely underrated. He bodied up big guys like Pippen or Majerle with ease and I've seen him posting up even massive dudes like Karl Malone. When you take a look at comeback Magic who mostly played at center, he could bang up with any non-center despite shot athleticism. Peak Magic wasn't weaker physically than the old man.

Wait, are you saying he was able to back down Malone step by step toward the cup? I don't remember this.

Not saying I thought Magic was weak, but I do see LeBron as a candidate for strongest body in the NBA, and I didn't have Magic on that level.

[Cavsfansince84]

I think Magic's power game is extremely underrated. He bodied up big guys like Pippen or Majerle with ease and I've seen him posting up even massive dudes like Karl Malone. When you take a look at comeback Magic who mostly played at center, he could bang up with any non-center despite shot athleticism. Peak Magic wasn't weaker physically than the old man.

I agree in the sense that not only was Magic stronger than he looked but he also wasn't afraid at all to bang in the paint and had no qualms about imposing his size and strength on smaller players. More so, that was a huge part of his playstyle. He was going to bang on those smaller guards and move them out of the way and refs didn't mind him doing it. Which is why I think its funny that people criticize LeBron for playing 'bully ball'. That's exactly what all bigger stronger players do to some degree which includes MJ. They use it to their advantage as much as possible. MJ's whole baseline game was built on sweeping guys out of the way with his off hand as he went by them and being able to elevate through contact.

[70sFan]

Reasonable point. I was thinking in terms of LeBron's use of power, which Jokic has, but Magic & Luka don't as much.

Realistically style-wise, Doncic is the close LeBron comparison though, and perhaps a better choice than McGinnis.

I think Magic's power game is extremely underrated. He bodied up big guys like Pippen or Majerle with ease and I've seen him posting up even massive dudes like Karl Malone. When you take a look at comeback Magic who mostly played at center, he could bang up with any non-center despite shot athleticism. Peak Magic wasn't weaker physically than the old man.

Wait, are you saying he was able to back down Malone step by step toward the cup? I don't remember this.

Not saying I thought Magic was weak, but I do see LeBron as a candidate for strongest body in the NBA, and I didn't have Magic on that level.

To be clear - I don't think Magic is as strong as James, of course not. His power game was very underrated though.

A few examples that I just found randomly, I didn't take notes of Magic backing up Karl unfortunately:

Watch on YouTube

37:12 and 40:10

I also remember their matchup from 1989 or 1990, can't remember exact date though.

[70sFan]

I think Magic's power game is extremely underrated. He bodied up big guys like Pippen or Majerle with ease and I've seen him posting up even massive dudes like Karl Malone. When you take a look at comeback Magic who mostly played at center, he could bang up with any non-center despite shot athleticism. Peak Magic wasn't weaker physically than the old man.

I agree in the sense that not only was Magic stronger than he looked but he also wasn't afraid at all to bang in the paint and had no qualms about imposing his size and strength on smaller players. More so, that was a huge part of his playstyle. He was going to bang on those smaller guards and move them out of the way and refs didn't mind him doing it. Which is why I think its funny that people criticize LeBron for playing 'bully ball'. That's exactly what all bigger stronger players do to some degree which includes MJ. They use it to their advantage as much as possible. MJ's whole baseline game was built on sweeping guys out of the way with his off hand as he went by them and being able to elevate through contact.

Yeah and he wasn't afraid of banging up bigger guys either.