They grew up the hard way. But today, both LeBron James ad Carmelo Anthony are household names in basketball. They are also the bets of friends. The NBA superstars don't mind talking about their close friendship in public.
James and Anthony played together in the Eastern All Stars team that won the 63rd NBA All Star game in New Orleans in mid-February. However, they play for different teams in the league. 'King James' is the face of Miami Heat and is hoping for a hat-trick of NBA titles. He is also in contention for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. 'Melo' has been a standout performer for the New York Knicks.
James's mother was only 16 when he was born. Growing up in Ohio with a single parent was tough. His mother not able to find a steady job. Even to this day, James has not forgotten his early struggles. He adores his mother, Gloria Marie James.
In fact, James considers his mother as the greatest inspiration in his life. "She did everything for me. And she continues to do so much for me. She gave me the strength and everything you need in everyday life to succeed. She was my mother, father, brother and sister. I was the only child and she covered all the bases. I don't take for granted every moment, every single day till this day."
James believes he has a role to play for the society. "Being a role model is a huge responsibility. To be a role model to kids, to be be super-hero, an inspiration, whatever they want me to be, I am here to perform and I love everything about it," he said.
James is nursing a broken nose. He was hit during Heat's league clash against Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20.
Anthony saw enough violence during his childhood days in Baltimore. He lost his Puerto Rican father to cancer when he was two and has witnessed drugs, killings and other forms of violence before his teenage days. But taking up basketball has taught him the essence of life.
Anthony, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the invincible US basketball team, told dna recently that those tough days have made him stronger. "It goes hand in hand," he said when asked how he coped up with the early struggle. "The way you grow up, what you are taught, what you learn, life's experiences, all go hand-in-hand with basketball. Over my career, I had a chance of redefine myself, redefine my game. What I did not want to do and what I wanted to, and say, 'Wow, I got to ride this ship'. It has made me a stronger person. Anything I did, I don't want to regret. I just did it, I experienced it. I took the good with the bad, and bad with the good. It made me a better person."
The 29-year-old, six-foot-8-inch hoopster had a word of advice for youngsters. "We all make mistakes. What is important is how you bounce back from those mistakes," Anthony said.
If there is someone who Anthony can go to for advice, it is James. "He can call me any time, any day, whatever it is, whatever job I am doing, to talk. For anything, I would have his family home. That is how close our relationship is. When we started (NBA), he was 16, I was 15. Our relationship goes a long way, way before this All Star Weekend (in New Orleans)." Sport has brought them together.
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