Then, when he became a brand ambassador for fashion label Thom Browne, LeBron did the same, even ordering three suits, shoes, glasses and headphones for each person to “dress up” beautifully. LeBron has no reason to work so hard, but he always thinks that as a team, everyone is the same.

Tyronn Lue, assistant coach of Los Angeles Clippers, former coach of Cleveland Cavaliers: There are thousands of stories to tell about LeBron James but I remember that day the most, the team had just won their 5th match and was about to board the plane to return, waiting for the match. Friday & Saturday will take place consecutively.

In the 6th match, LeBron James could not play because of a minor injury. On the plane, he asked everyone to pay attention and said loudly, repeating many times: “Listen. Promise me that you will fight hard in the 6th match and in the 7th match, I will shoulder everything, don’t worry, don’t worry, listen to me and we will bring the championship to Cleveland. Everyone felt excited, full of energy, won the 6th match and by the 7th match, LeBron was the one who scored the most points. LeBron is an inspirational messenger with great leadership qualities.

Romeo Travis, longtime close friend of LeBron James: Last year, I took my children to the mall. From afar, someone kept calling my name continuously. But I didn’t want my children to lose their fun, so I deliberately ignored it and tried to move on. Then, the other man ran up, held my hand and asked: “Romeo, are you LeBron’s best friend? I want to ask you to thank LeBron, because he has helped me both financially and mentally in the fight to give up drugs.”

That was just one of many chivalrous gestures that LeBron did not make public. He does many things, very small things that we don’t even know about. LeBron doesn’t have that need, because what the press has written about him is too much. LeBron once told me that if you can give, do it while you still have the ability to contribute to society.

Beth Dolan, high school teacher at St. Vincent-St. Mary: When I taught Literature to LeBron James in his pre-med year, he was one of the most diligent and serious students. Sometimes, LeBron was a bit shy even though at that time, the basketball community already knew about LeBron’s special talent.

Not a disobedient child, running around boasting that “I’m a celebrity”, LeBron has not missed any classes, and regularly goes to the library and faculty office to exchange assignments with teachers. One time, I assigned the topic of writing a review of the work Romeo & Juliet, not thinking that every day LeBron would come to school, contact me, and correct errors with me until the work was completed.

Mike Brown, Golden State Warriors assistant coach, former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant: It was a playoff game in Detroit, LeBron James scored 25 points before the opposing coach asked for a halftime huddle. I remember that as soon as the players stepped out for a drink break, the team coaching staff immediately met. Mike Malone, another assistant on the presentation team, said something like: “We have to play like this, like that, change tactics, etc.”

But I had to intervene immediately, saying: “No, don’t do anything. Just let LeBron James lead the game. He can do whatever he wants, let everything happen naturally.” Having finished speaking, I ran to LeBron and leaned into his ear: “Do whatever you feel you need to do, don’t listen to anyone.”

Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder, teammate also on the US national team: Before a big match in 2007, LeBron James and I were in the same hotel room. Then, LeBron’s wife, Savannah, called to say she was hospitalized because she felt like she was about to give birth. So the two of us contacted the hotel reception, reported to the team and got in the car and went straight to Cleveland Obstetrics Hospital. That whole night, everyone stayed up, playing cards and doing all kinds of things to kill time. Late in the morning, the new baby was born and LeBron kissed his wife, then returned to the hotel in time for the match.

John Lucas, assistant coach of the Houston Rockets, who signed the first professional contract with LeBron James: At that time, people said that in the national amateur basketball system, there was a shooter who was better than Kobe Bryant. I was curious so I went to watch, and ended up staying glued to the stands for 8 hours.

When I met LeBron, I said: “You will be even better than Bimbo Coles” (basketball legend of the late 90s). Not long after that, I invited LeBron James to practice with the Cleveland Cavaliers and for that reason, I was fined 50,000 USD and banned from officiating for 2 matches because I did not ask permission from the tournament organizers. To this day, I still occasionally text LeBron jokingly: “Where is my money?”.