LeBron James responds to Cam Newton: ‘I’m LeBron of the NBA’

Cam Newton has blended an incredible combination of size, speed and skill to lead the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl.

Remind you of anyone?

Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

At Super Bowl media day earlier this week, Newton was asked if he was the LeBron of the NFL, and Newton responded, “Why can’t LeBron be called the Cam Newton of power forwards?”

“I heard that,” James said Wednesday morning prior to the Cavs’ shootaround in preparation for their game against the Charlotte Hornets. “I heard that. I’m not a power forward, though.” A reporter then asked if he was the Newton of the NBA, to which he replied, “I’m LeBron of the NBA.”

“I’m not a power forward right now, and I’m not slowing down any time soon,” James said. “So, I like being a wing guy. It’s cooler.”

Newton doesn’t mind throwing a nod to LeBron. But, of course, neither player – among the best in their sports – wants to shortchange himself by being compared to the other. They want to be the measuring stick.

That’s understandable and fine for players of that caliber.

Also credit LeBron for avoiding an unnecessary controversy, because if he’s a power forward, where does Kevin Love fit? LeBron can play both forward positions, and he might be better suited to play the four. But that’s not a conversation Cleveland wants to have right now, thank you very much Cam Newton.