There is good, there is bad, inside LeBron James are conflicting, opposing values that always go together. With LeBron, there are things that seem absurd but happen regularly, there are things that seem normal but to him, are abnormal.
George Hill, Milwaukee Bucks, former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate: LeBron James is an idol to young people because of his professional ability, but to us, his colleagues, he is special because of his affectionate personality and his concern for everyone. I remember that there were many Beats brand headphones in the drawer at home because when LeBron signed a sponsorship contract, he asked the brand to provide them for his brothers and teammates to use together.
Then when he became a brand ambassador for the Thom Browne fashion label, LeBron did the same, even ordering three suits, shoes, glasses, and headphones for each person to “dress up” nicely. LeBron didn’t have to worry about that, but he always thought that when it comes to a team, everyone is the same.
Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach, former Cleveland Cavaliers coach: There are thousands of stories to tell about LeBron James, but the one I remember most was that day, the team had just won the 5th game and was preparing to board the plane to return home, waiting for the 6th & 7th games to take place in succession.
In Game 6, LeBron James was unable to play due to a minor injury. On the plane, he asked everyone to pay attention and said loudly, repeating many times: “Listen. Promise me that you will fight hard in Game 6 and in Game 7, I will carry everything, don’t worry, don’t worry, listen to me and we will bring the championship to Cleveland”. Everyone felt excited, full of energy, won Game 6 and in Game 7, LeBron was the top scorer. LeBron is an inspirational messenger, has great leadership qualities.
Romeo Travis, LeBron James’s longtime best friend: Last year, I took my kids to the mall. From afar, someone kept calling my name. But I didn’t want to ruin the kids’ fun, so I tried to ignore them and continued walking. Then, the man ran up to me, grabbed my hand and asked, “Romeo, are you LeBron’s best friend? I’d like to ask you to thank LeBron for helping me financially and emotionally in my fight to quit drugs.”
That is just one of many acts of kindness that LeBron does not publicize. He does many things, very small things that we do not know about. LeBron does not need that, because what the press has written about him is too much. LeBron once told me that if you can give, do it while you still have the ability to contribute to society.
Beth Dolan, high school teacher at St. Vincent-St. Mary: When I taught LeBron James English in his pre-college year, he was one of the most hard-working and serious students. He was a little shy at times, even though the basketball world knew about his special talent.
Not a rebellious child who ran around showing off that “I am famous”, LeBron never missed any class, often went to the library and the faculty office to discuss homework with the teachers. Once, I assigned him a topic of writing a commentary on Romeo & Juliet, but I didn’t expect that LeBron would come to school every day, contact me, and correct my mistakes until the work was completed.
Mike Brown, Golden State Warriors assistant coach, former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant: It was a playoff game in Detroit, LeBron James scored 25 points before the opposing coach called a timeout. I remember as soon as the players went out for a water break, the coaching staff had a meeting. Mike Malone, another assistant on the team, was saying something like, “We have to play this way, we have to change the strategy, etc.”
But I had to intervene immediately, saying: “No, don’t do anything. Just let LeBron James lead the game. He can do whatever he wants, let everything happen naturally.” After saying that, I ran to LeBron, whispered in his ear: “Do whatever you think you need to do, don’t listen to anyone.”
Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder, teammate on the US National Team: Before a big game in 2007, LeBron James and I were in the same hotel room. Then, LeBron’s wife, Savannah, called to say she was in the hospital because she felt like she was about to give birth. So we called the hotel front desk, informed the team, and drove straight to Cleveland Clinic. We stayed up all night, playing cards and killing time. Late in the morning, the baby was born, and LeBron kissed his wife and headed back to the hotel in time for the game.
John Lucas, Houston Rockets assistant coach who signed LeBron James to his first professional contract: Back then, people were saying that there was a player in the national amateur basketball system who was better than Kobe Bryant. I was curious so I went to see him, and ended up glued to the stands for eight hours.
When I met LeBron, I told him: “You will be better than Bimbo Coles” (the basketball legend of the late 90s). Shortly after that, I invited LeBron James to practice with the Cleveland Cavaliers and for that reason, I was fined $50,000 and banned from directing 2 games because I did not ask permission from the tournament organizers. Until now, I still text LeBron from time to time: “Where is my money?”
