Great LeBron interview; lots of Kobe referrences

Jordan-esque · Post #1 » by **Jordan-esque** » Thu May 14, 2009 4:52 pm

Dan Patrick interview 05/13/09:

-- Dan asked LeBron who his idol was growing up in high school. LeBron says it was Kobe Bryant.

-- LeBron said when he was young, he would pretend he was Michael Jordan when he was shooting around for fun. Dan asks him why not Kobe? LeBron says that Kobe hadn't hit many game-winners yet (Kobe was still around 21 years old at that time). LeBron said what Jordan did to Craig Ehlo 20 years ago, it was just unfair.

-- Regarding Jordan's shot against Ehlo, Dan asked LeBron if he's felt sorry for anyone in guarding him in today's game. "I felt sorry for the Toronto Raptors when Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on them."

-- Dan asked LeBron to build his dream team:

PG: Magic Johnson
SG: Michael Jordan
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Shaquille O'Neal (Kareem Abdul Jabbar a close 2nd)
HC: James Naismith

-- Dan asked why he didn't pick Kobe, and LeBron says that his ultimate dream was to be able to play alongside THE Michael Jordan; felt sad he had to snub Oscar Robertson too.

-- Dan asked LeBron if winning a title would make it harder or easier to leave Cleveland. "It's hard to answer that question," LeBron said. "I'm happy in Cleveland, and grateful for the Cavaliers management." But James didn't sound like he had reached any kind of decision about his future.

-- Dan asked LeBron if the Cavs were having fun during their playoff run. James' answer is interesting, considering some of the criticism Cleveland has gotten for celebrating too much. "We have a good time playing basketball," James said. "We don't disrespect the game of basketball."

-- James says with the time off, the Cavs have a lot of time to come up with some good celebrations. LeBron liked Dan's two ideas: the Soul Train line dance, and the old school firm hand shake. We'll see if he uses either of those in the next round.

-- LeBron also had some interesting things to say about last-second shots. "It doesn't have to end with me taking the last shot," LeBron said. "Whatever benefits the team." LeBron said he'd rather make the pass to the guy who hits the game-winner than hit the shot himself."

-- Dan asked If LeBron wins a title: "One of the greatest accomplishment of my life."

-- Dan asked If LeBron doesn't win a title: "There's always room for improvement."

Good and really fun interview!

L&H_05 · Post #2 » by **L&H_05** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:08 pm

Actually, LeBron was a little more clear about not going anywhere else in that Dan Patrick interview...

Dan asked LeBron if winning a title would make it harder or easier to leave Cleveland. "It's hard to answer that question," LeBron said. "I'm happy in Cleveland, and grateful for the Cavaliers management." But James didn't sound like he had reached any kind of decision about his future.

This is pretty inaccurate...

bcortell · Post #3 » by **bcortell** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:57 pm

Here's what it really said.

-- Dan asked LeBron if winning a title would make it harder or easier to leave Cleveland. "It's hard to answer that question," LeBron said. "I think I'm happy in Cleveland. I don't have any plans of going anywhere and playing the game of basketball. These fans have done everything to support me in my career here. I'm excited about being here."

L&H_05 · Post #4 » by **L&H_05** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:28 pm

bcortell wrote:Here's what it really said.
-- Dan asked LeBron if winning a title would make it harder or easier to leave Cleveland. "It's hard to answer that question," LeBron said. "I think I'm happy in Cleveland. I don't have any plans of going anywhere and playing the game of basketball. These fans have done everything to support me in my career here. I'm excited about being here."

Yup... I'm pretty sure that is what I heard too...

New York media will twist it some how.. They can want him all they want, but, they're gonna have to get their own LeBron...

KobeChinaMan1 · Post #5 » by **KobeChinaMan1** » Fri May 15, 2009 1:52 am

Why do the stupid media ask him if he wants to leave cleveland? That was only a legit question when they were average. Leave cleveland for the worst franchise in basketball becauses its in NY LOL.

He is rich enough to spend half the yr in NY if he wanted.

GoLebron · Post #6 » by **GoLebron** » Fri May 15, 2009 2:22 am

Why didnt you just copy and paste the interview from SI instead of changing the answers?
I think it was a pretty crappy interview. Doesn't even come close to the story chris ballard wrote about lebron two or three years ago.

Notorious23 · Post #7 » by **Notorious23** » Fri May 15, 2009 6:38 am

Jordan-esque wrote:-- Dan asked why he didn't pick Kobe, and LeBron says that his ultimate dream was to be able to play alongside THE Michael Jordan; felt sad he had to snub Oscar Robertson too.

ol smokee · Post #8 » by **ol smokee** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:35 pm

.....i don't care who we play.....they are going home....it's championship time...

NetsForce · Post #9 » by **NetsForce** » Fri May 15, 2009 10:10 pm

Just as I thought Lebron's like Kobe's padawan pupil or some ****. Couldn't have a better teacher that's for sure.

MasterRyu · Post #10 » by **MasterRyu** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:58 pm

Interviewer asked some very stupid questions. "Why not Kobe" this and that. Lol.

Ojmayo · Post #11 » by **Ojmayo** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:51 pm

Garnett>Duncan!

Good interview.

kenneth9265 · Post #12 » by **kenneth9265** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:16 am

The media keeps thrumping kobe like he is god...He is not MJ....

NetsForce · Post #13 » by **NetsForce** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:45 am

kenneth9265 wrote:The media keeps thrumping kobe like he is god...He is not MJ....

To be fair the media isn't unfairly comparing Kobe to MJ anymore, they are however doing it with Lebron... I feel bad for him though just like Kobe, Lebron's no MJ, never will be either... Kobe is Kobe, Lebron is Lebron, they're good players in their own right.