LeBron James's lesson is top class!

Charlotte (USA): From the dust and grime of downtrodden neighbourhoods to shiny basketball courts in the finest of NBA arenas, LeBron James has indeed come a long way... and he continues to soar into the celebrity stratosphere.

The King as he is called, James is not just about slams and dunks. He does a lot for the society, having grown up the rough way. He was born to a 16-year-old mother and a father who had an extensive criminal record and was not involved in their lives even as his mother struggled to find a steady job. Today, the 34-year-old makes millions, is the most influential athlete here and even runs a school in his hometown of Akron (Ohio) to help struggling elementary students stay. Aptly named ‘I Promise,’ the school started in July last year. Sheer class.

“To be in a position to have my own school is great. It’s not about me, but the 240 kids. I’m just the platform and the voice,” he said during an interaction on Saturday, eve of the annual NBA All-Star game at which he is leading one of the sides.

“It’s an honour and I take it very seriously. The people around it — the teachers, security guards, chefs and the custodians who make sure the school runs well and smooth on a day-to-day basis for the kids to be able to succeed. I talk to them weekly to see how we’ve been doing. It’s been great so far and we want to continue that,” he explained. He related that to his own early days of difficulty. “I don’t who I would have been had I not been a professional athlete but every kid has a dream and you have to tap into that talent,” he said.

James is not new to controversy. He has been slammed often for his political comments. “It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million-a-year to bounce a ball," Fox News host Laura Ingraham said, adding, “Keep the political comments to yourself. ... Shut up and dribble.”
On Saturday, James put across his point. “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,” he said.

Level head
However, LeBron kept a level head when he said: “You have to appreciate anything that comes your way whether it’s good or bad because 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.”

The 6-foot-eight-inch player also kept his feet on the ground when asked about his superstar status. “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 am at a loss for words sometimes ’cos I know where I come from – a small town in Akron. So, thanks to my family, friends who have been supportive over the years and I hope I will continue to make them proud,” an emotional LeBron said.

“It sounds crazy to me when I am talked about in the same breath as the greats. 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,” he adds.

He’s not done yet though. “I’ve got a lot of games to play and would not think about it. However,  once I stop playing I would like to give back.