Steve Kerr: LeBron More Scottie Pippen Than Michael Jordan

Kerr, who played with both MJ and Scottie, thinks LeBron James’ game is more suited to be Pippen-esque despite what Scottie may think. From ESPN: “The irony to me is that LeBron is not Michael. LeBron is actually Scottie,’ Steve Kerr said. ‘He’s so similar to Scottie in that defensively he was just a monster, could guard anybody, really more of a point forward than scoring guard. Scottie always loved to distribute the ball. That’s really where LeBron’s preference is … Phil Jackson used to call Scottie a ‘sometimes shooter.’ Sometimes they would go in, sometimes they wouldn’t. That’s how it is with LeBron. He’s a great talent and a great player but you can see his flaws as a basketball player. He doesn’t have an offensive game that he can rely on: no low-post game, no mid-range jump shot so when the game really gets tough he has a hard time finding easy baskets and getting himself going. That’s what Michael did in his sleep so that’s why the comparison is wrong … Michael had three years at North Carolina with Dean Smith. That makes a big difference,’ Kerr said. ‘I think he was brought up at a time when there was probably better development at a young age in terms of coaching. I think LeBron is a product of the AAU system where you rely on your athleticism, you go and play 100 games a year but maybe you don’t focus on your weaknesses and what you need to lock in on. As a result, fundamentally and technically LeBron has some flaws. He has to address those. If I were him I would spend all summer down on the low block shooting jump hooks and turnaround jump shots — the entire summer.'”