“If Bron doesn't leave and go over there, there’s a lot of things people would have never did" - Former NBA champion doubles down on claim that LeBron James ruined basketball
LeBron James has been one of the top NBA players of the last 20 years. However, former teammate Iman Shumpert believes James ruined basketball.
Shumpert, who won an NBA title alongside LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently claimed that the 37-year-old ruined basketball when he decided to join the Miami Heat in 2010.
During an interview with "VladTv", Shumpert doubled down on his original statement and explained the reason for his line of thinking.
"Yeah, I think the clip it did what they needed it to do, but I still stand on that. If Bron doesn't leave and go over there, there's a lot of things people would have never did 'cause everybody used to be like, you don't do that. That was just the mindset of it."
Player mobility is a significant aspect of building a top team in the NBA. Many players who change teams do so only to have the best chance of winning.
Ultimately, the NBA is about winning, and players and teams will do whatever needs to be done to get to the top. Shumpert feels this is the reason why so many players emulate Steph Curry in relation to shooting from distance.
"It's like what I said about Steph. I'm, like, bro, I'm no longer in that mindset that's so small. I'm just, like, we shouldn't be shooting threes. I can't say that no more. This has been consistent and now it's opened up to where everybody can shoot better. Now you look around the league. Jump shots are everywhere, there's so many people you can't leave open."
LeBron James changed basketball by finding a different way to win, just like Steph Curry has done
Shumpert claimed that LeBron James and Steph Curry negatively impacted the game by demonstrating new ways to win. According to the former Cavalier, teams wouldn't be so reliant on 3-point shooting if Curry hadn't demonstrated its effectiveness.
"If Steph don't win shooting threes, do you think they'll be all these shooters? No, the NBA would be shaped with more people that can attack. People that could fly and do that because that's what you know I'm saying. The NBA don't even care if people don't. Sometimes you don't even care. No one cares."
Fans of Steph Curry other elite 3-point shooters are certainly benefitting from the modern game. Meanwhile, LeBron James' desire to win led to him changing teams multiple times.
12 YEARS AGO TODAY
The Celtics upset the 61-win Cavs by eliminating them in 6 games despite 27 PTS, 19 REB, 10 AST from MVP LeBron James.
LeBron signed with the Miami Heat 2 months later. https://t.co/RIWzPP6YXk
LeBron James certainly changed the game with his initial move from Cleveland. Whether or not he ruined it is up for debate.