In the debate over the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James are often the central figures. While they revered each other’s status as icons, there was always an unspoken rivalry between them. However, the same cannot be said for James’ former teammate Iman Shumpert, who did not take Bryant’s ‘mimicry’ of Michael Jordan well.
Shumpert and LeBron James played together on the Cleveland Cavaliers during their 2016 title run. During his recent appearance on ‘The Big Podcast with Shaq,’ Shumpert recounted his mixed emotions watching Kobe Bryant replicate Jordan’s iconic fist-pump celebration after clutch moments.
It used to piss me off when Kobe used to do this [fist pump gesture]. And now I just be like, ‘It ain’t no one on Earth allowed to do nothing like Mike except Kobe.
Iman Shumpert said on the podcast
It is no secret that Kobe Bryant was influenced by Michael Jordan. He modeled much of his playing style and demeanor after the six-time NBA champion. From the fadeaway jump shots to the celebrations, he embodied what he saw as the ultimate template for greatness.
It used to piss Iman Shumpert off when Kobe would imitate Michael Jordan 🤣
Watch the full episode here: pic.twitter.com/ReE6HHMPtF
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) November 20, 2024
Michael Jordan famously used the ‘fist pump’ celebration after draining a game-winning jump shot against the Utah Jazz in the 1997 NBA Finals. The celebration was one of his many iconic celebrations Kobe Bryant replicated on his way to becoming one of the most clutch players in NBA history. However, LeBron James is not one to slack behind when it comes to celebrations.
LeBron James’ most iconic celebrations
In the world of basketball, showmanship trumps all. Apart from any debates about stats or titles, LeBron James has carved out his space in NBA lore alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant with his own iconic celebrations.
While Bryant’s replication of Jordan’s fist pump is a point of contention for some, LeBron’s iconic celebrations—the “Silencer” and the “Crown”—have forged their own identity.
Similarly, LeBron James’ ‘Crown’ celebration is a nod to his “King James” moniker, a self-proclaimed title that has become synonymous with his dominance. After a big dunk or a game-changing play, James would mime placing an invisible crown on his head, reminding everyone of his reign.
Similarly, the “Silencer” celebration is one of James’ most memorable gestures, often reserved for silencing hostile crowds or doubters during critical moments. With his trademark confidence, LeBron James pounds his chest before thrusting his arms downward in a power-packed motion. And thankfully for NBA Fans, James finally brought back ‘the Silencer’ after a few years of dormancy.
