James talking a good game, still playing great
NEW ORLEANS — Older, wiser and more aware of the world, LeBron James is unafraid to let his views known on politics or social issues or even the business of basketball. It wasn't always that way. But in his 14th season, with more NBA playing years in his rear-view mirror than left in front of him, James doesn't see much reason to stay silent these days. His voice is louder than ever when he deems it appropriate while his numbers remain as good as ever. It's one of the reasons he'll again be the star attraction on Sunday night when he plays in the All-Star Game for the 13th time.
“I've been vocal about a lot,” James said Saturday. “That's who I am. I'm a vocal guy. I've been vocal about a lot of things this year.”
Whether it was his stance on the presidential election where he supported Hillary Clinton, expressing his displeasure about Phil Jackson's TV: characterization of the people closest to him , speaking directly to fans through video messages or even saying his Cleveland Cavaliers need another playmaker to help with their NBA title defense, James has been taking full advantage of his massive platform .
This weekend, though, he is trying to take a break from any negativity and enjoy the moment.
“Truly blessed,” James said. “This is a special time for me.”
He's not alone in that sort of thinking. For all the subplots — the Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook drama, Kyrie Irving's claim that the Earth is flat and Carmelo Anthony's All-Star nod after some trying times in New York — none of the 24 players who'll be on the floor Sunday night will likely be thinking about anything besides putting on a show.
James' two sons are hoping for a show, too. Not from their dad, so much — but rather from their favorites like Westbrook and Stephen Curry.
“LeBron Jr. wore 0 for the longest time because he loves Russ,” James said. “Bryce wore 30 because he likes Steph and likes to shoot the ball from deep. I think that's pretty cool.”
James' arrival was the big news of All-Star Saturday, largely because he missed Friday's events because of family obligations. Durant and Westbrook shared the floor for practice but had minimal interaction — not even looking at each other when they were maybe a foot apart in the back of the Superdome while trying to find their assigned spots for a media session.’
“This game, it's for the fans,” said Westbrook.
It always is, though this All-Star weekend has a younger feel. Sunday's will be the first All-Star Game since 2005 — James' first All-Star — where no player in the game will be older than 32. Kobe Bryant was 37 when he made his All-Star farewell last season.