Who comes to mind as you watch LeBron James play? While other names may come to mind, Magic Johnson is a favourite among many Los Angeles Lakers fans. While the Michael Jordan vs. LBJ debate is legendary, many observers agree that at his best, the King plays like an enormous point guard. James’ former teammate Joe Smith stated that the four-time NBA MVP’s playing style is reminiscent of the league’s greatest point guard.
“I grew up as a Magic Johnson fan, and he [James] reminds me a lot of Magic and the way he played and made his teammates around him better,” Smith said in an interview with columnist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Smith went on to say that parallels to Jordan frequently lead to criticism of LeBron for not constantly looking to take the game’s final shot. However, the former NBA journeyman believes that making the perfect pass is the most honourable thing the team’s top player can do.
Of course, Magic Johnson might agree with this viewpoint. When the King joined the Los Angeles Lakers, the five-time NBA champion was the franchise’s president. Johnson, like many of us, is a huge fan of the NBA’s all-time top scorer.
LeBron James created history by scoring 40,000 points.
James’ ability to improve his teammates is something not all NBA greats possess. That, combined with his consistency, distinguishes the King from the rest. “He’s special because he improves his teammates while still playing at a high level himself,” Magic Johnson famously said about LeBron James and his game.
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The Chosen One recently became the NBA’s first player to reach 40,000 points. Last year, the four-time NBA champion made history by breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring mark of 38,387. Magic Johnson was thrilled to see a Lakers player break his ‘Captain’s record. Johnson previously stated that James is one of those players who arises once every two decades.
Even if the King is frequently compared to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, it is ultimately his distinct approach that distinguishes him from the pack. What are your thoughts on Johnson and Joe Smith’s opinions? Please let us know in the comments section below.
