LeBron James names Curry and Iverson most influential players since Jordan / News - Basketnews.com

LeBron James says Stephen Curry has changed the game with his unparalleled shooting, while Allen Iverson's fearless style and crossover dribble transformed basketball culture.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has seen a few game-changers in basketball over his 20-year career, but there are two players who truly stand out in that regard.

2-pointers this season

54%28,6Points made:28,6Accuracy:54,0%Place in standings:22Record max:39Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Jonathan KumingaTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Reflecting on the evolution of the sport, LeBron highlighted the seismic shifts brought about by Stephen Curry and Allen Iverson. LeBron and JJ Redick discussed this topic in their new podcast, Mind the Game.

"I believe in '08/09, whenever that little light-skinned f***er came in the league, he changed that whole narrative. He single-handedly changed the 'no lead is safe.' It's like Pat Mahomes right now," James said of Curry and then continued:

"When it comes to influence since I've been watching the game, the most influence on the game, and obviously, we know what Mike [Jordan] did for the game, but Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I've been watching it and covering it," LeBron added.

"One: They're 6'3, 6'4, if you wanna look on the back of a basketball card, you're always a lot taller on the back of the basketball card. Allen Iverson and Steph -- they were just so relatable, and kids felt like they could be them.

"So you got A.I., who's like unbelievable crossover, cornrows, arm sleeve -- everyone wears an arm sleeve now because Allen Iverson -- and he's going into trenches, laying it up over bigs, whatever the case may be," James went on to say. "And now you have Steph, who's shooting over the Empire State Building. Those two are the two most influential when you play the game, how they changed the game, and the [impact on] kids, those are two guys that you just wanted to watch every single night."

Career averages:

Steph Curry (so far): 24.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.4 APG, 47.3% FG, 42.6% 3PT, 91.0% FT (943 games).

Allen Iverson: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 42.5% FG, 31.3% 3PT, 78.0% FT (914 games).

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