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It sounds crazy to me when I'm talked about in same breath as Jordan, says LeBron James

Ahead of his 15th All Star appearance, LA Lakers’ LeBron James says he wants to follow his basketball idol’s footsteps and own an NBA club and it is ‘more of an aspiration’ than dream

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The Pod 5 of Team LeBron on the Media Day at the Bojangles Coliseum was choc-o-bloc with the media crew aiming at the special chair with their cameras and mics.

And why not? Because it’s not everyday that one gets to quiz basketball legend LeBron James.

There was a slight delay, but it did not matter much to the listeners who were eager to know what goes behind the making of a legend.

Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar is a three-time NBA champion, with four MVPs, been part of 15 All Star, thrice MVP in All Star as many MVPs in NBA finals with two Olympic golds and a bronze.

As he arrived at his Pod, there was a huge roar and the loudest one from the crowd that was waiting to watch the practice of the teams on the eve of the All-Star Game on Sunday night. 

“It’s great for the city of Charlotte. For all of the world to come here... so many different people, countries, walks of life want to come here. I am happy to be here,” James said when asked about the All Star weekend being held here.

Asked how does it feels to be considered one of the best, he said: “To be recognised as one of the best players in the league means a lot to me. It’s always an honour to be part of an All-Star weekend. I’ve grown up watching All-Star games and as a kid always wished I would be part of this someday. 

“So to be here today, at my 15th straight (All-Star game), I get lost for words sometimes cos I know where I come from – a small town in Akron, Ohio. So, thanks to my family, friends who have been supportive over the years and I hopefully I will continue to make them proud.”

The 34-year-old had a tough life growing up. He was born to 16-year-old Gloria Marie James married to Anthony McClelland, who had an extensive criminal record and did not live with them. At the age of nine, he was introduced to basketball by his step father. From then on he has been unstoppable.

“You have to appreciate anything that comes your way whether it’s good or bad ‘cos it helps you learn and get better. I am always thankful for not only the good but also the bad that has come along in my life,” said the humble James on his life.

Even as James continues to be on a high and dominate the basketball arena, the talk of him being called the greatest of all time hardly affects him. “I think the comparisions will never stop. People are always going to talk, I think it’s good for the game.”

James is on course to surpass Michael Jordan in career scoring list. While Jordan is at No. 4 in all time list with 32,292 points, the former is just 210 points behind.

“It’s difficult to talk about the future for I live in the moment and once it is done, I would be able to reflect on the future. It sounds crazy to me when I am talked about as being in the same breath as one of the great. I mean MJ (Michael Jordan) was someone I looked up to and always believed was the greatest. It’s just pretty cool and I have no idea how I have been able to do it.”

It is not just in basketball, but James is doing a lot off it too. He has opened a school in his home town Akron in Ohio for the underprivileged kids.

“To be in a position to have my own school is great. It’s not about me, but the kids. I’m just the platform and the voice. The people around it, the teachers, security guards, chefs and the custodians who make sure the IPA school runs well and smooth on a day-to-day basis for my kids to be able to succeed. It’s an honour and I take it very seriously.”

Saturday was one year to American political commentator Laura Ingraham’s “shut up and dribble” comment on James when he criticised American president Donald Trump’s policies. An upset Ingraham expressed her disappointment and criticised the basketball player to focus on his job of playing ball.

“Everything in life you have to appreciate. When they said just shut up and dribble, I knew that was bigger than basketball and that I had to say something, because it wasn’t just about me but all of us.

“Maybe they would tell you guys, just shut up and write, just shut up and be a doctor, just shut up and be a lawyer, just shut up and be a teacher or just shut up and do whatever your occupation is. And I think it is unfair to all of us because we are so much more than what our occupation or what our name says so,” said James.

Like Michael Jordan who owns a team – Charlotte Hornets in NBA, James, too, wants to own a team, once he hangs up his boots.

“It’s not that it’s intoxicating to me, and I don’t think about it on a day-to-day basis. I believe if I wanted to, I could own a team or be part of a basketball team. I know I got so much knowledge of the game that I don’t want to, once I stop playing, I just [do not] want to get away from the game.”

For James, this is not a dream, but an aspiration. However, the man aims to play more. “I got a lot more game to play. A lot more.  A ton more game to play this game and suit up and be in Lakers’s uniform.”

JAMES CONTINUES TO BACK KAEPERNICK

Lebron James continued to back NFL player Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid after their collusion lawsuit against the NFL was settled on Friday.

Kaepernick claimed he was protesting the treatment of African-Americans and other minorities in the United States when he took a knee during the national anthem.

"I stand with Kap. I kneel with Kap. I feel what he was talking about, nobody wanted to listen to. Nobody wanted to really understand where he was coming from. I think that anybody that would sacrifice their livelihood for the betterment of all of us, I can respect that. I'm happy to see the news come out that he won his suit. I hope it's a hell of a lot of money that can set not only him up, but set his grandkids up for the rest of their lives."


LA Lakers star LeBron James during the NBA All-Star Media Day at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte (USA) on Saturday —Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

KNOW JAMES

  • Full name: Lebron Raymone James Sr
  • He was born on December 30, 1984
  • Is an American professional basketball player
  • Currently playes for Los Angeles Lakers in NBA
  • He has played for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat apart from Lakers
  • Has won NBA title three times — 2012, 2013, 2016
  • Was part of American basketball two that won Golds in Beijing (2008) and London Olympics (2008) and bronze in Athens Olympics (2004)

N-ZONE

$450 million Is the net worth of Los Angeles Lakers Lebron James, according to Forbes

15 No of times Lebron James has been part of All Star Game

4 No of times Lebron James has been NBA Most Valuable Player

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