LeBron James is renowned for his laser-like focus when it comes to basketball, but in the preseason there are far lower stakes. James is established as the world’s best basketball player, so before the regular season kicks off, he can afford to spend some time sending kids home with a smile.
As someone who is very invested in Cleveland’s youth, James sent a bunch of children home as Cavaliers fans for life by taking a selfie with them before their tilt with the Hawks.
King James Helping Akron Kids Do Something He Never Accomplished
That is my dad takin a picture of Lebron takin a selfie(-: pic.twitter.com/q84ljdUaAT
— Kay (@kbuggywags) October 8, 2015
This selfie is another step toward James fully shedding the villain role he assumed when he ditched Cleveland for Miami in 2010. Since returning, James has essentially put the entire city of Cleveland on his back. He earned major points this offseason for creating a program that will cover college costs for Akron kids who complete his “I Promise” challenge.
''These students have big dreams, and I'm happy to do everything I can to help them get there. They're going to have to earn it, but I'm excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures," James said. This isn’t pure charity either; James has said the requirements will include meeting standardized test goals and performing community service.
LeBron Puts Heat On Cavs To Work Out Deal For Tristan Thompson
James famously did not go to college, but he said he wants to change the mindset of Akron kids who come up in hard situations, and might not have the same athletic gifts he has. ''It means so much because, as a kid growing up in the inner city and a lot of African-American kids, you don't really think past high school,” James said.
All that’s left for James now is to help the Cavs foot the bill for the huge contract disgruntled forward Tristan Thompson wants. That may be going too far, but at the very least James is giving fans a reason to not only show up at meaningless preseason games, but to come early.
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