Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Donning the number 23 during his first and second stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, comparisons between LeBron James and legendary Chicago Bull Michael Jordan were unavoidable.
Pair that with their superhuman feats of lifting their respective sides to the biggest stage of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a consistent basis, the two players are constantly placed side-by-side.
Another legend that James has often been compared to is Lakers’ Magic Johnson for his all-around game.
As people debate on who James compares to the most and who is better, another Chicago Bulls icon gave his own surprising take on the issue.
“I was LeBron James before LeBron James,” former Bulls star Scottie Pippen said in an interview with the Northwest Ohio Media Group.
Pippen is best known as Michael Jordan’s partner in crime during the glory days of the Bulls in the 90’s.
During his time with the Bulls, Pippen played a big role in bringing in six championships and earned seven NBA All-Star appearances along the way.
The 6-7 Pippen was a dangerous perimeter player not just on offense, but on defense as well, earning selections to the All-Defensive First Team eight times and All-Defensive Second Team two times in his career.
“I’m no slouch, but when comparing LeBron’s game, I’m usually left out,” Pippen said.
The comparison isn’t unprecedented, considering that James himself admitted that he has drawn inspiration from Pippen’s style of play.
”When I grew up, I loved Michael, but when you are a kid, you don’t think you can grow up and be Michael Jordan,” James said. ”I patterned a lot of my game after Scottie Pippen, because he was the kind of star I thought I could be.”
There is a massive difference between the two players on the individual stat sheet, but when looking at the playing style Pippen believes that James’ game is more comparable to his.
“They want to compare him to the greatest, whether it be Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, but he’s more closer to myself,” Pippen said.
