What LeBron James can teach us about being a game changer

In professional basketball, the phrase “game changer” refers to a player who revolutionized how a position was played. Examples include Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and, most recently, LeBron James. Russell, Chamberlain, and Jabbar redefined the role of the center, both offensively and defensively. Before them, the paint was an easier place to score baskets. When they made the art of the blocked shot look common, they changed the way the opposing offensive was run. Michael Jordan changed what the shooting guard position looked like. Before Jordan, the stereotypical two guard was an outside shooter and back up ball handler. With Jordan, the two guards attacked the basket in the air (hence the name "Air Jordan"), thereby dominating the game. To this day, when evaluating potential future stars, we ask, "Are they the next Michael Jordan?"

-Article by Karl Moore and Devin Bigoness

Read full article: The Globe and Mail, December 11, 2012