LeBron ‘humbled and appreciative’ to see Jordan
CLEVELAND – LeBron James relished the 2022 NBA All-Star Game perhaps more than any other among his 18 career appearances.
It was in Cleveland, just north of his hometown of Akron, Ohio. His Team LeBron won the contest for the fifth consecutive season. His wife, children and mother were at the game, and James spent much of the weekend with his childhood friends. The win provided $450,000 for James’ I Promise Scholars Program.
And James made the winning shot, a fadeaway jumper he said was inspired by Michael Jordan.
Speaking of Jordan, James made time to greet Jordan at halftime when the league’s 76 greatest players were recognized for the NBA’s 75th anniversary season. James doesn’t address this topic often. The two don’t have a close relationship for reasons that are probably rooted in many competitive impulses. Maybe this is the beginning of a different relationship for the two.
“I did not want to lose the opportunity to shake the man’s hand that inspired me throughout my childhood,” James said. “I haven’t had much dialogue with him in my 20 years or 19 years in this business, but part of me wouldn’t be here without MJ’s inspiration. I always wanted to be like him growing up.
“It’s crazy that the gamewinning shot tonight was a fadeaway, and it was inspired by MJ. The way he wore his shoes, the way he wore his uniform, I mean, all the way down to some of the cars that he drove, how much he inspired me. I didn’t want to waste that opportunity because we’re just not in the same building a lot and haven’t been in the same building a lot throughout my career.
“It meant something to me.” In a fulfilling career that exceeded the seemingly impossible expectations with four championships, four MVPs, four Finals MVPs and three AllStar MVPs, James does not have many pinch-me moments left, his Basketball Hall of Fame induction being one of them.
“To be a part of the 75 greatest basketball players to ever play, it just takes me back to my childhood once again growing up in Spring Hill and having all my inspirations taped on my wall, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson,” James said.
“To see those guys today and then be on stage with those guys. You guys don’t understand. I’m trying to make you understand as much as I can, but it’s just crazy.”
He was embraced by the crowd in the arena, many of whom are Cavaliers fans who have James to thank for Cleveland’s 2016 NBA championship.
“It’s just super dope. Super, super, super dope, and I was very humbled and appreciative of that,” James said.
James admitted he won’t be this open, this effusive the rest of the season as he tries to get the struggling Los Angeles Lakers into better position for the playoffs. But in the moment, he absorbed the experience.
“I hope I’ll never forget this moment,” he said.