LeBron James grew up loving Michael Jordan, but told Steve Nash on Mind the Game that Jordan was never his blueprint.

"MJ inspired me to play the sport, but Penny and Grant Hill were the ones who actually shaped my game."

James said his youth coaches taught the game exactly the way Penny and Hill played it.

Hardaway was a 6-foot-7 point guard in Orlando, and Hill a point forward in Detroit. James grew into that mold.

James opens his first regular season with the 76ers at the Knicks on Oct. 20.

LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Cleveland Cavaliers, March 21, 2022. File photo: Erik Drost · CC BY 2.0. Resized.

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