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LeBron James is practically overflowing with confidence. You can't really blame him.
The 24-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers star has been the NBA MVP. He almost has more endorsement deals—Nike, Sprite, Vitamin Water to name a few—than there are products to endorse. He has shown an ability to laugh at himself while hosting "Saturday Night Live" and ESPN's ESPY Awards. He was labeled "The Chosen One" on the cover of Sports Illustrated while still in high school. He has met, he says, nearly everyone he's ever wanted to meet—including Michael Jordan, Barack Obama and Oprah—and "I wasn't too nervous at all."
Of course, every legend has to start somewhere. Cue "More Than a Game," opening Oct. 2 in New York, Los Angeles and Cleveland and expanding to more theaters throughout the month. The documentary focuses on James and his closest friends/teammates' experiences at St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio. There, they faced immense pressure from the media and, simply, strove to be the best high school basketball team in the nation. Meanwhile, James solidified friendships that hold strong to this day.
We sat down with James to see how he handles massive stardom, how he feels about seeing his teenage self on the big screen and, you know, if he'll loan us a few bucks.
What goes through your head when you see footage of yourself in high school?
It was great times, man. We had a lot of fun playing the game of basketball. And doing it with your best friends, you couldn't ask for more than that.
Most people wouldn't be so happy to see themselves on the big screen in their awkward teen years.
No, we ain't got nothing to be ashamed of. Everything that we did was out in the public anyway.
What's a moment that stands out from high school?
[Laughs] Every moment, for the most part. Probably the first day we ever went to high school. Ninth grade, man, going into an atmosphere that was challenging. We had no experience seeing guys that were older, bigger than you. That's a memory that I'll probably never forget because it was really intimidating to go [from] eighth grade where you're the biggest guy in the school and then you go into high school, and you're not as big as you thought you were. You got the big football players and you got some seniors that's much bigger than you that have been lifting. I definitely remember that.
Are you worried no one will remember you at your high school reunion?
I'm not worried about that. I know my four best friends will remember me, so that's all that matters.
Some people wonder how superstars like Britney Spears can separate the person from the product. What's something you tell yourself to keep those separate?
Just be yourself. It is what it is. I'm one person. I'm a brand, but the brand is just me. I don't separate anything. Everything goes into one box with me, man. For the most part I try to live a stress-free life by doing that.
So would you have been surprised then if I had walked in wearing—like you're wearing—a shirt with a logo and my own name on it too?
Ain't nothing wrong with that. Whatever gets you by. [Laughs] Whatever gets you up and moving early in the morning.
If you could go anywhere or do anything and not be recognized right now, what would you do?
I would just go home. When I want some chill down time, which is not a lot—I'm not one of those guys that just wants to be alone, I'm not a loner—anytime I want some chill time I just go home, with my kids, my girlfriend and just relax. I'm low maintenance. I don't need to go on no island or nothing like that. Just take me to my house and I'm fine.
You've shown good comedic chops on "SNL" and ESPN. How interested are you in exploring that?
You know, there's definitely room for opportunity. If the right opportunity comes about, I'll definitely explore it.
Let's say a director comes along and says, "You. Shaq. Buddy comedy. Summer 2011." Your response?
It's possible. It's possible.
You're a versatile guy. What's something that you've never been good at?
I'm bad at golf. Like, really bad. Other than that, I'm good at everything else.
Be honest: When does your rap album come out?
Never. Never. [Laughs]
You'll leave the door open for a buddy comedy with Shaq but not a rap album?
No, that's not what I do. I don't want to get into rapping or nothing like that. You know how hard it is to sell records these days? Uh uh. Ain't gonna happen.
You've done a lot and you're only 24. Need any assistance in renting a car?
[Laughs] It's funny, my best friend just rented a car yesterday for his family. So I got connections everywhere—I don't need your help.
Just thought I would offer. How often do people come up to you and say, "Yo, LeBron, got ten bucks?"
Kids do it all the time. Little kids, you have basketball camps, it's like, "Come on, man, let me borrow five dollars, man. I know you got it!" I [only have] credit cards. I don't have cash.
So you just give them a credit card then.
Noooooo. They don't know how to use that. [Laughs] They don't know what they're doing with that.
Seriously, though, do you have ten bucks?
No. I don't carry cash. [Laughs]
What other people are saying...
impystdotcom from Willoughby - September 30, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Lebron , I was wondering when , or even if , will you contact the City Of Akron , and offer them the $ 12,000,000.00 they need to operate the Ci...
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