Clyde Drexler named two NBA legends who inspired his game: "I really watched everything they did"
Before Clyde Drexler became "The Glide," a 10-time NBA All-Star and a Hall of Famer, he was also once a basketball fan. Growing up, Drexler always wanted to perform with style and flair. And like any other aspiring basketball star, the legendary shooting guard also had his idols.
According to the Portland Trail Blazers icon, he tried to study how Julius Erving and George Gervin worked their magic on the court after he realized that they were all identical in size and frame.
"As I was coming up, I loved to watch Julius Erving. George Gervin was pretty darn good as well. 'The Iceman,'" Drexler told Bleacher Report in 2009. "They had the greatest nicknames, but they could also play. They were about my height, so I really watched everything they did."
Clyde carved his own path
Looking at how Drexler played, it's easy to see that he did try to model his game after Dr. J and "Iceman."
During his playing years in the league, "The Glide" electrified the crowd with his thunderous dunks just like Erving. He was also smooth attacking the rim and finishing with gracious finger rolls like Gervin. But at the end of the day, Drexler still hit his stride in the NBA with his own identity.
However, Drexler, unlike some other superstars, was still humble enough to admit that, at one point, he also patterned his game after another player.
Combination of LeBron and D-Wade
Drexler reached the pinnacle of his NBA career with the Trail Blazers in the late 80s and early 90s. Right around that time, Michael Jordan was also playing at his peak form. Inevitably, they engaged in epic battles, and many, including Clyde himself, saw striking similarities between his and Jordan's game.
Drexler was also once asked to name the modern-day NBA player who resembles his game. Clyde doesn't have a penchant for comparing styles and careers, but based on his assessment, his game was a combination of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
"I hate to compare players, but if I had to, if you twisted my arm, I'd say the ball-handling and wizardry of Dwyane Wade, and the power and strength of LeBron, if you combine those guys," Drexler said.
