Scottie Pippen: ‘I was LeBron James before LeBron James’
Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen says he believes he was the original do-it-all player, telling the Northeast Ohio Media Group that he “was LeBron James before LeBron James.”
Pippen won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls and finished his 17-year career with per game averages of 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists.
Pippen made seven All-Star teams, was named to the All-NBA first-team three times and was an eight-time All-Defensive First Team selection.
"I was LeBron James before LeBron James," Pippen told the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "It’s not even close."
"I'm no slouch, but when comparing LeBron’s game, I’m usually left out," he added.
2015 NBA free agency primer: Biggest storylines, latest trade buzz and more
James, an 11-time All-Star, has won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award four times, made the All-NBA first team nine times and is a five-time All-Defensive First Team member.
James, 30, has averaged 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists in his career. His 27.35 point per game scoring average ranks fourth in NBA History behind Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
Pippen says people shouldn't compare James to some of the game’s greatest and that James’s talents are more close 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. “It's natural for folks to say that, but if you look at how he plays the game and how I played the game, you'll see more similarities with us.”
- Scooby Axson
