First off, Lebron isn't better than Jordan.
or Kobe
But thats not the most frustrating thing ive heard people say about him recently.
I'm tired of the media making it like we've never seen another player with an all around skilled offensive game as Lebron. Like lebron is some basketball prodigy or freak of nature. Yea hes big and fast unlike anything we've seen play point guard, but SKILL WISE, Penny was just as good or even better. If you break down every aspect of their games offensively its clear.
Before reading you might want to watch this highlight video first.
Ball Handling. Penny is better. Just look at the video. Not much of a debate there.
Jumpshot. Penny is better or as good if you want to give lebron the benefit of doubt or bring up "stats"
. Lebron takes smart shots, and doesnt shoot that much so he shoots a good percentage. but We all know how lebron has struggled with his shooting, especially these playoffs or at the end of games. Defenses know this too.
Inside/Post game. I might be crazy but Pennys post game at its best was light years a head of even lebrons recently improved post game.
Remember everyone saying lebron had to develop a post game or at least try scoring in the post more only 2-3 years ago? Well, penny as a rookie had a better post than Lebron in his prime.
Pennys post game is
Lebrons is all brute force
Finishing at the rim/in transition. Ill say they are equal here. Penny was a more creative finisher with more finesse layups, floaters and stuff like that. Lebron is more power and physically harder to stop cause hes pretty much running through you and dunking over you. Plus Lebron is faster and jumped higher. But thats not saying Penny didnt dunk on or try to posterize any player including the Centers in the 90s. But for his frame and height, Penny was a beast. I think his dunking gets overlooked actually.
Passing/Playmaking ability. Penny had everyone comparing him to magic johnson BEFORE anyone knew Lebron existed. Everyone knows penny was a great passer. and has some of the greatest passing highlights of any player. I dont see Lebron to be as good of a passer naturally. But 99 percent of basketball fans do so Ill say they are equal. Lebron makes the right pass/perfect pass eventhough it might not be flashy or difficult like penny.
Ill say maybe Lebron is a better playmaker right now, the way he controls everything thats going on the court is
.
But who is the better point guard? Consider the fact that Penny was actually a true pg (it was his natural position) not just a point forward playing the point guard position because no one else on his team has been capable of filling the position better than him.
Put Lebron with a real point guard and he'll be playing sf or pf. I just dont consider Lebron a point guard like Penny or Magic. Hes just a Forward whos good at passing and that makes his passing ability something special or unique.
The bottom line is, we've seen Lebron before. It was Penny (or even grant hill) and Lebron ain't even better than him..... offensively.
Keep in mind I'm comparing orlando magic Penny in his early 20's to Lebron in his 30's whos played 10+ years in the NBA
AND Penny was Lebrons favorite player growing up.
Sorry for the long post but I had to get it off my chest.
" when he played against the Bulls.
