Time Out with LeBron James

"Cross-over, slam dunk...Rucker Park with the flow..."

Jay-Z - Flow

The Cleveland Cavs and the James Gang are beginning to pick up steam...just in time for the new year...

Teamwork

I ventured to the Wachovia Center on Wednesday night to see how the Sixers have adjusted to life with AI, and while their record doesn't show it...the 76ers are playing well enough to win. The Cavaliers were in town...and for 3-quarters the game was close, but in the end LeBron made several big shots including 2 three-pointers that broke the home team's back.

My friend Michael Tillery and I spoke with 'Bron and Mo Williams after the game, and the rest is his-story...

Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

MVP - Most Valuable Points

Jubilation

"We can do it real big, bigger than you've ever done it..."

Drake - Best I Ever Had

The Eastern and Western Conference Finals are some of the best games of this year...and what I like best is that each team boasts a key member of the 2008 Olympic team.

Full 48

The Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Orlando Magic 96-95, however just like the Lakers in their first game against Denver...the Lake Show won, but they really should have taken a loss. 

The Cavs blew another big lead, and the Magic were about to win 95-93 to go up 2-0 in the series...however after Hedo Turkoglu all but closed the door on Cleveland, LeBron James sank his only 3-pointer of the game with 1 second left in the 4th quarter.

If this were a baseball game, then James hit the walk-off homerun, as the venue now switches to Florida for Game 3 on Sunday.

He are a few key points from tonight:

The Magic have too many weapons (Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis, Pietrus, and Lee), and if they play their game...they can actually win this series.

Hedo Turkoglu has been playing at the point guard position...in Game 1 he had 14 assists, tonight he had 4 assists, with 21 points.

Orlando split the first 2 games in Cleveland, that's all you can ask from a road team.

Cleveland plays extremely well, and they have to learn to finish Orlando out...as tonight's game will show, both teams have to play for the full 48 minutes.

Mo Williams seemed to find his stride, so expect the guard play from the Cavs to get better in Game 3.

Photo: Tony Dejak/AP Photo

Fantastic 4

Focus

Desire

"It's time to chase your dreams..."

Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock

The NBA is down to the Conference Finals, as the winners will advance to play for the ultimate prize...an NBA championship.

2nd Season

The Los Angeles Lakers will matchup against the Denver Nuggets, while the Cavs play host to the Magic. I find it interesting that a lot of "experts" and media outlets alike are already pitting the Lake Show against Cleveland for the title bout, but I wouldn't pencil anything in just yet, as the Nuggets are more than deserving to vie for the Western Conference crown with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, and Chauncey Billups.

A Kobe/LeBron series would be the best thing since people started slicing bread, but as Herman Edwards once said, "you play to win the game"...and in this case...the teams have yet to take the floor. However, I promise you that these series will be just as entertaining as the games in the first round. Remember the Chicago/Boston cliffhangers...well prepare to turn off your cell phone, and put the children to sleep, because you do not want to miss Kobe and Carmelo, or LeBron against the Magic.

I'd like to go out on a limb and make a prediction, but that's not my style. A few keys to each upcoming game...Trevor Ariza's defense on Carmelo for the Lakers, and the point guard battle...Mo Williams, and Rafer Alston will determine more than Game 1.

I love this game!

KING

Family

2003 to infinity

Nike MVP VI

"KG of the game, LeBron James...you boys must don't know my name..."

Slim Thug - I Ain't Heard of That

Tonight LeBron R. James was awarded the league MVP, affectionately known as the Maurice Podoloff trophy...in front of his family, friends, and a capacity Cleveland crowd.

By Any Means Necessary

I first met the boy who would be King in December of 2002, and within that timeframe he has grown both on and off the court. What amazes me most is his persona, life away from basketball, and business acumen. LeBron is very intelligent in who he is, and what his brand means, so he is very calculated in what he does and says...like Kobe, and Jordan before him...he is ready to lead the association into the next decade of basketball greatness.

I interviewed him several times this season, and all I can say is that it has been a nice trip...from the infamous "crab dribble" game in DC, to the near triple-double in Madison Square Garden...James never ceases to entertain.

Below is the score on a conversation we held recently, which will give you a glimpse into how the MVP thinks:

Talk about the ’03 Draft Class: “Oh we’re known. That’s something that we talk about all the time. That’s something me, D Wade, Melo, Chris Bosh, I mean all of us, Kirk Hinrich, the list goes on…Mo Williams, Sasha [Pavlovic], the class of ’03 is really big in this league, and still getting better. It’s something that we really take pride in, having our draft class…we try to hold ourselves up to the draft class that Z [Ilgauskas] was in with AI, and Ray [Allen] and all those guys, you know Steph [Marbury], and all those guys which was arguably one of the best drafts too, so we try to hold our standards to those guys.”

What has this season been like, as a team? “I know our potential…I can see our potential getting better everyday…things we do on and off the court, it reminds me of the days when I was back in high school. Every time we went out on the court…we knew we were going to win. It was never a doubt. We’ve had guys nicked up, and out for long periods of time, I’m not talking about 1-week or 2-games…we’ve had key guys that have been out 4-6 weeks, you know 2-3 months and guys have been able to step in, and still have been able to hold serve, so this could probably be the hungriest I’ve been because I can see the potential of our team.”

What drives you? “I think what drives me is wanting to be the best player every night I go on the basketball court, and for me to continue to get better as an individual. I think I have a long way…of course I haven’t hit the peak of my career yet but every night I go out I want to be the best player on the court, so that’s the kind of drive.”

Talk about your friendship with Kobe and Dwyane Wade: “I think it’s great, I think it’s great…I think it’s great for the league that arguably the three best players in the league, are in an MVP race, and it hasn’t been like this in a long time. I mean, take nothing away from Steve Nash…great player, but when he was winning, Kobe, and myself, and D Wade were still the best players in the league, you know so…you have three guys that everyone says are the best players in the league…are in the MVP race…I think it’s great man. It’s tribute to the summer that we had…we all made each other work hard everyday. The games came easy to us but the things that we’ve been able to do with our teams are great, we love it, we take the challenge every night.”

Photos: Associated Press and Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Southern Comfort

Vision of the future

"You can catch me skatin' through your town, putting it down..."

Jay-Z - Politics As Usual

When I heard that the Cleveland Cavilers had acquired Mo Williams from the Milwaukee Bucks this past summer, I thought to myself, that he wasn't the answer to the needs of the Cavs. However after watching him in the preseason, and again last night against the Philadelphia 76ers...I drove home with a changed mind.

Total Recall

Williams is listed in the Cavs media guide standing at 6'1", and weighing 190lbs, but trust me when I say, that this man plays on a much bigger scale than his frame would let on. The way he plays along side LeBron James, while posing his own threat against the opposition makes him one of the more important free agent signings of 2008. 

He was drafted by Utah in the 2nd-round of the 2003 draft, and Wednesday night against the Sixers he showed the promise that he flashed coming out of Alabama after 2 seasons. I must admit, that I went to the game so I could catch up with LeBron, but by the end of the 1st quarter, Williams had shown the national ESPN audience as well as the Philly faithful, that he is worthy of attention, finishing with 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

I caught up with Williams and James after the game. Here is the score on our conversation:

GAME TIME: Talk about your game and what you bring to the team?

Mo Williams: "My game is being aggressive. You know my quickness, and being a

playmaker...I'm just trying to do things on the floor to help the team...whatever that is. I think 

collectively as a group we're doing all of the necessary things to win."

GAME TIME: Can you talk about the team defense of the Cavs?

Mo Williams: "Oh yeah, we're doing a great job on the defensive end, especially when we set 

our mind to it...when we're focused. There is nobody in our opinion that can score on us. 

Obviously you're going to have your times where you're not focused as you should, but you 

pick it up, especially days like this...but for the most part we're focused."

GAME TIME: You played college ball, what are the main differences between the college and 

pro game?

Mo Williams: "Aw man...it's different, it's different...you can't prepare yourself for this league,

you just have to get here and kind of take the bumps and bruises...and you know feel your way.

Some will adjust quicker than others, but there's no preparing for this game...not the NBA."

GAME TIME: What does Mo Williams bring to this team?

LeBron James: "He brings another guy that you can rely on down the stretch. A guy that can create for 

himself, create for others...and also a leader that can handle the ball, and make plays for myself, and

make plays for other people. Tonight was a prime example that offensively we didn't look too well

at times but Mo took it upon him self to make things happen, and that's where he's good, that's why

we got him."

GAME TIME: What does this win mean for the team's big picture?

LeBron James: "We have to continue to improve every game, every night, because we're gearing

towards something that's bigger than just winning 10 games in a row, or winning back to backs. 

We want to...we're gearing to win an NBA championship, so we got to continue to play better."

GAME TIME: Talk about the fun you have on the court and the interaction you have with the fans:

LeBron James: "Well for me, I always try to keep the game fun...you may look at my face, and 

I have a game face, but I'm very focused in the game, but I'm always having fun. And the interaction

I have with the fans...they're part of the reason why this league is as good as it is because the fans

come out every night, and no matter if you're on the road or at home they show their support, so

you always want to interact with the fans."

Photo: Shim Hyun-chul/Korea Times

Witness Protection

Superbad

AG. and LeBron in DC

NYC

Nike from day 1

High School Musical

"How could you falter, when you're the Rock of Gibraltar...I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water...this ain't no tall order, this is nothing to me...difficult takes a day...impossible takes a week..."

Jay-Z - Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)

Friday, December 20, 2002, was the day that I first witnessed LeBron James in living color. His team made the trek from Akron, OH to my beloved West Philadelphia, to play against Philly basketball power, Strawberry Mansion. I charged up the batteries for my camera and I was off to the venue. I took my seat on the far baseline across from the visiting bench and the rest would be history, or shall I say, his-story.

I had first heard about him during his junior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, which was around the time the moniker of KING was bestowed upon him.

Before I started writing professionally...I was looking for a job all the while, staying insanely hungry for my "moment". In fact I used to shine shoes for small money and write short stories just for fun. Nowadays, I’m as ambitious as ever, but it’s the people that I’ve meet throughout my life, that have gotten me to this point.

I recently caught up with Bron, when the Cavaliers played against the 76ers during the preseason in October. I walked over to his locker and he says, "what's up man...how you've been?" I stuck out my hand and he game me a firm "soul brother" shake. I told him that I had to interview Mo Williams, and that I'd be right back. After my brief chat with Williams I spoke with LeBron at length on everything from his family to his Olympic gold. He is a great person to interview, as I can truly say he has a great respect for the game, and my job as a writer.

This past summer, I interviewed the Olympic team for BET News, and when I walked into the room to sit with LeBron, his time with the media was over and he was leaving for the day. I informed him that I really needed some time with him and he agreed. We walked out of the room and down the hallway, to which we were greeted by security guards, Nike employees, hotel staffers, and a cameraman. I didn't think much of the camera, but I was walking in plain view, so I figured that whenever this footage airs, I'll be on it with my guys, Bron and Flash. Turns out, it was for ESPN, and the first few times it aired I missed it, however everyone else saw it, because I was getting emails, phone calls, and text messages for a good 2-weeks.

ROC BOYS

My very first official sit down with LeBron James was during the 2007 NBA Playoffs. The Washington Wizards drew a first-round match-up with the James Gang, I called my friend and photographer Daryl and told him we were going to interview LeBron. Nevertheless, I digress…now since I have never sat with LeBron, I asked a few people from the Cleveland media how easy or difficult it would be to interview him and what he was like. After everyone shut me down and dashed my hopes, saying that it was mission impossible, I decided to build a better mousetrap and get resourceful like I would normally do.

In 2002, at that high school game in Philly...I met the 3 other members of the James 4-horsemen. I leaned on that connection, and ran courtside during halftime of game 3. It was there I asked Randy (1 of the 4-horsemen, and he works for the team) if I could get 5 minutes with the King. He gave me a look that said, it's halftime of the playoffs, but he insured me that we would talk afterward.

I have to be honest with you. No matter what NBA city I’m in…I always secretly cheer for the team with the person I need to speak with. It is in my experience, that the players always are in a better mood when they get a W. My photographer and I waited patiently once the Cavs won, and then we decided to split up like Tre' and Ricky in the movie Boyz n the Hood.

I loitered outside the locker room and when Randy turned a corner and strolled down the hall, I knew it was a good look. He greeted me and took me into the locker room which had been closed to the media for 40-minutes already. We continued our conversation and I then noticed a presence amongst us and Randy started walking away. I turned and there was LeBron slipping past me like he does defenders on a 94-foot court. He wore a nice suit and he had those ubiquitous headphones on. I started walking with them, and Randy looks up and says, "you remember AG right?" LeBron turns my way and says to him, ‘yeah. From there I asked if I could get a few minutes before practice the next morning and he said it wasn’t a problem.

The next day, I sat with LeBron for a spell, and we've been working together ever since.