USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is congratulated by guard JR Smith (21) after dunking against the Houston Rockets during the second half of game two of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is congratulated by guard JR Smith (21) after dunking against the Houston Rockets during the second half of game two of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2015-16 was arguably the most iconic season in the history of the NBA. The Golden State Warriors pulled off a historic 73-9 season for most wins by a team in a regular season. However, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an even more impressive comeback in the NBA Finals. This made the Cavaliers the only team in the history of the NBA to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. Making it one of the most exciting seasons in a long time.
During the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016, Cleveland faced Toronto with a home game advantage. However, Cleveland lost the 3rd game in this series. In the post-game press conference after Game 3 of this series, LeBron James admitted to taking inspiration from Michael Jordan.
J.R. Smith says his fadeaway threes are inspired by “2K” pic.twitter.com/96c6OTrXFB
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 22, 2016
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LeBron James on copying this skill from MJ
LeBron said “We all take something from somebody, if I shoot a fadeaway I got it from MJ. The no-look pass, that’s from Magic. (Pointing at JR) He shoots fadeaway threes, I don’t know who he gets it from. But we all admire somebody, so, it’s not a big deal.” While LeBron lay little emphasis on his source of information, he showed that he set his standards up there with the best.
Every player, as LeBron James said, borrows an element of their game from someone else. But for J. R. Smith, it was a different matter altogether. While speaking to the media about Bismack Biyombo’s Mutombo-Esque finger wag, James presumed another player influenced JR Smith’s fadeaway threes. That’s when Smith hilariously chimed in with a clarification. What was the source of his inspiration? NBA “2K”
Bismack Biyombo:
7 points
26 rebounds
4 blocksAnd this finger wag.https://t.co/Nv8PGs8QgJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2016
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While the finger wag was the angle the media focused on, one aspect they ignored was LeBron admitting he copies his fadeaway shot from Michael Jordan. Recently, 5 years after this incident, Shaquille O’Neal also pointed out the same thing about LeBron. He said that LeBron has the combined tendencies of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Even the legends agree on how great and versatile his game is.
At 36, turning 37 this year, LeBron James is one of the best players in the league, if not the best. Considering the best inspired him, LeBron has made sure he will go down as one of the greatest players to play the game.
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