There is good, there is bad, inside LeBron James are conflicting, opposing but always parallel values. With LeBron, there are things that seem absurd but often happen, there are things that seem normal but for him, are unusual.
George Hill, Milwaukee Bucks, former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate: LeBron James is a youth idol because of his expertise, but to us, colleagues, he is special because of his affectionate personality, always caring for everyone. I remember that the drawer at home had a lot of Beats brand headphones because when signing a sponsorship contract, LeBron asked the brand to provide it for brothers and teammates to share.
Then when becoming a brand ambassador for fashion label Thom Browne, LeBron did the same, even ordering 3 suits, shoes, glasses and headphones for each person to “dress up” beautifully. LeBron doesn’t have to work so hard, but always thinks that as a team, it’s all the same.
Tyronn Lue, assistant coach Los Angeles Clippers, former Cleveland Cavaliers coach: There are thousands of stories to tell about LeBron James but I remember the most that day, the team had just won the 5th game and was about to board the plane back, waiting for the 6th & 7th games to take place next.
Game 6, LeBron James could not play because of a slight injury. On the plane, he asked everyone to pay attention and said loudly, over and over again: “Listen. Promise me you’ll do your best in game 6 and in game 7 I’ll take care of it all, don’t worry, don’t worry, listen to me and we’ll bring the championship back to Cleveland.” Everyone felt excited, energized, won the 6th game and by the 7th game, LeBron was the one who scored the most points. LeBron is an inspirational messenger with great leadership qualities.
Romeo Travis, longtime best friend of LeBron James: Last year, I took my kids to the mall. From afar, someone kept calling my name over and over. But I don’t want my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren to lose their joy, so I deliberately ignore it and try to move on. Then the other man ran up to me, took my hand, and asked, “Romeo, are you LeBron’s best friend? I would like to ask you to thank LeBron, for he has helped me both financially and spiritually in the fight to quit drugs.”
It was just one of many philanthropic gestures that LeBron did not make public. He does many things, very small things that we do not know. LeBron did not have that need, because what the press wrote about him was too much. LeBron once told me that if you can give, do it while you are able to contribute to society.
Beth Dolan, a high school teacher at St. Vincent-St. Mary: When I taught Literature to LeBron James in his pre-university year, he was one of the most hardworking and serious students. Sometimes, LeBron was a bit shy, even though at that time, the basketball village knew LeBron’s special talent.
Not a rebellious kid, running around bragging about “I’m a celebrity”, LeBron hasn’t missed any class, regularly visiting the library and faculty office to exchange assignments with teachers. Once, I assigned a topic to write a review of Romeo & Juliet, not thinking that LeBron would come to school every day, contact me, and fix errors until the work was completed.
Mike Brown, assistant coach Golden State Warriors, former assistant Cleveland Cavaliers: It was a play-off in Detroit, LeBron James scored 25 points before the opposing coach asked for a halftime break. I remember that as soon as the players stepped out for a break, the coaching staff immediately met. Mike Malone, another assistant on the team, said something like: “We have to play this, that, change tactics etc”.
But I had to intervene immediately, saying, “No, don’t do anything. Let LeBron James lead the game on his own. He can do whatever he wants, let it happen naturally.” After saying that, I ran to LeBron and put my ear: “If you think you need to do something, do it, don’t listen to anyone”.
Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder, teammate also on the US national team: Before a big game in 2007, LeBron James and I shared a room in a hotel. Then, Savannah, LeBron’s wife called to say she was hospitalized because she felt she was about to give 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡. So the two of us contacted the hotel reception, reported to the team and got in the car to go straight to the Cleveland Clinic. All that night, everyone stayed up, playing cards and doing all sorts of games to pass the time. Toward morning, the new 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 and LeBron kissed his wife, then returned to the hotel in time for the game.
John Lucas, assistant coach of the Houston Rockets, who signed LeBron James’ first professional contract: At that time, everyone said that in the national amateur basketball system there was a better pitcher than Kobe Bryant. I was curious so I went to see it, and ended up glued to the stands for 8 hours.
When I met LeBron, I said: “You will be better than Bimbo Coles” (the late 90s basketball legend). Shortly after that, I invited LeBron James to practice with the Cleveland Cavaliers and for that reason, was fined $50,000 and banned from directing for 2 games for not asking for permission from the BTC solution. To this day, I still text LeBron jokingly: “Where’s my money?”.
