Introduction

Everybody's Always Saying Something

LeBron James is the NBA's most talked-about current player, arousing adoration among his many fans, and intense criticism from his many detractors. In James, his fans see the greatest and most exciting basketball player of this generation, while his detractors see a selfish underachiever who has yet to win a championship.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, always good for an interesting perspective and a colorful quote, has in the past year directed both the highest praise and piercing criticism toward James, thus taking on the roles of both fan and critic.

In April 2010, just before the NBA Playoffs, Barkley told the New York Post that, “LeBron James is the best player in the world and he is a man on a mission right now.” In August 2010, a month after James' consequential and controversial decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat, Barkley told ESPN Radio that James had made a punk “move.”

Barkley added: “He's a two-time defending MVP. He doesn't leave his city. They (players) come to him. If I'm the man, I'm not going to go anywhere else. They got to come to me. He's going to Dwyane Wade's team any way you slice it.”

So, why does James engender such passion? What is it about James that can move Charles Barkley to heap heavy praise on him and just a few months later assail him?

Well, it starts, of course, with James' performance on the basketball court. The Miami Heat lists LeBron James at 6'8 and 250 pounds. James is more than just big and strong. He's quick and can see the court extremely well. He's a play-making small forward, just as likely to dish off an incredible pass as he is to throw down a powerful dunk.

James was the number one pick in the 2003 NBA draft, coming right out of high school. He won Rookie of the Year for the 2003-2004 season; every season since 2005, he has been both an All-NBA selection and an All-Star; he led the Cavaliers to the playoffs every season from 2006 through 2010, taking them to the NBA Finals in 2007; and he helped Team USA win the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics and the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics; for his career, he is averaging 27.7 points, 7 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game.

One game in particular displays the level of LeBron James' greatness on the basketball court: Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, in which James scored the Cavaliers' final 25 points in a 109-107 double-overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons, sealing the win with a layup with two seconds left.

The one thing James has failed to do is win an NBA Championship. He left Cleveland to join Miami in the hopes that by teaming with fellow All-Stars Wade and Bosh, he gave himself the best chance to win multiple championships.

The way he went about making that decision, however, which culminated in a one-hour ESPN special in which he announced his choice, was the catalyst for much of the harsh criticism directed his way. Of course, Cleveland fans would be angry: Cleveland went from having the best record in the league in the 2009-2010 season, at 61-21, and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, to having the second worst record in the league for the 2010-2011 season, at 19-63.

Many fans and journalists thought James had turned an important free agent decision into an unnecessary circus by filming the show, rather than just holding a press conference.

Jason Whitlock of Fox Sports wrote, “For seven years, James seemed to delight in, court and fuel himself with universal adoration and respect. It's gone now, and it's not coming back. He's a hero in Miami, a coward in New York, a spoiled, narcissistic punk most everywhere else and Black Modell in Ohio….He's a joke, and only the insanely dishonest will defend his performance and the decision to host LeBron-apalooza.”

That said, as the 2010-2011 NBA Playoffs begin, despite a relatively tumultuous season, the Miami Heat are 58-24 and are the number 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. It's a fresh chance for James to chase that NBA Championship yet again.

But enough of what everyone else has to say about LeBron James. Let's hear what he has to say, on a wide variety of subjects, that free agent decision included.

In this book, we've taken quotes from press conferences; magazine, newspaper, website, and television interviews; public appearances; and his Twitter posts. Some quotes go back 10 years, while James was still in high school.

We can get a good picture of who LeBron James is and how he thinks, what motivates him, what animates him, what fulfills him.

For instance, did you know that, despite the selfish label, his approach to the game is to pass first and that getting his teammates involved brings him more satisfaction than his individual accomplishments?

Do you know what his favorite sport is? Hint: it's not basketball.

Did you know he enjoys listening to classical music and Jay-Z?

Also, there's plenty here to inspire and motivate you as you harness your own passion in the pursuit of your own goals: sections include quotes by James on always improving, bouncing back, commitment, failure, focus, hard work, and much more.

An example: Work Ethic: “You're only born with a certain amount of gifts. You have to take advantage of them and put in the work. My work ethic has helped me be the player I am today.” (Toronto Star, Associated Press, Larry Lage, April 27, 2009)

We've got James' own words on over 100 subjects. There's over 200 quotes here. So, take a look at the table of contents, pick a subject you find interesting, and dive in and see what LeBron James has to say about it.

Jesse Hines, Phillip Hines

April 2011

Accepting Responsibility

I told my team, I’m not going to continue to fail late in games. I put a lot of blame on myself tonight. I told the guys that I just keep failing them late in games and I won’t continue to do that.

-- On losing to the Chicago Bulls during a 5 game losing slide. (Yahoo! Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski, March 7, 2011)

Age

Someone asked me how old I was turning. I told them ‘24, I’m young but I have an old soul. (cleveland.com, The Plain Dealer, Brian Windhorst, December 29, 2008)

Akron

Mayor of Akron? I’m already mayor of Akron. I’ve been that for about 10 years now.

-- When asked about possible political ambitions after Barack Obama was elected President.

(espn.com, Associated Press, November 6, 2008)

*****

To My Family, Friends and Fans in Akron:

For all my life, I have lived in Akron -- and for that, I am truly a lucky man.

It was here where I first learned how to play basketball, and where I met the people who would become my lifelong friends and mentors. Their guidance, encouragement and support will always be with me.

Akron is my home, and the central focus of my life. It’s where I started, and it’s where I will always come back to. You can be sure that I will continue to do everything I can for this city, which is so important to my family and me. Thank you for your love and support. You mean everything to me. (cleveland.com, The Plain Dealer, newspaper ad, August 2, 2010)

*****

This is home for me. I love this place to death. Every day I wake up I understand that I’m not just carrying myself but I’m also carrying this city to bigger and better heights. No matter where life may head me, I’m never gone from here. (foxnews.com, Associated Press, May 2, 2010)

*****

AKRON OH stand up!! Love that place. Made me who I am today. Through the ups and downs, blood, sweat and tears. That city made ME!! (Twitter: @KingJames, December 31, 2010)

*****

You know guys, I’m from Akron, Ohio. So you know I need help with my reading. (Basketball Digest, Tom Kertes, August 2004)

*****

Every day I wake up, I’m not only carrying myself, I’m also carrying this city to bigger and better heights. Ever since I was a kid, I said I was going to find a way to put this city on the map, and I’m going to continue to do that. (Crain’s Cleveland Business, Joel Hammond, May 24, 2010)

Always Improving

The way I prepare is to try and improve every aspect of my game. If I felt that I didn’t shoot the ball as well as I thought I should, then I spend more time on shooting. If rebounds need work, then I will try to concentrate on rebounds. Working on every aspect of my game will improve our team. (South China Morning Post, Jonathan Powell, August 9, 2005)

*****

It’s not satisfying. We have to bring the same intensity (every time). We have to execute a lot better.

-- Regarding a six game winning streak. (nydailynews.com, Vic Ziegel, December 28, 2005)

Ambition

When I first got to the NBA, I was happy to be in the NBA and excited to put on an NBA uniform and everything. Not saying I still don’t, but now … I want to become the best player of all-time. I want to be the best player on the court every time I go out on the court. I see my potential, and I’m nowhere near as high as I can be. (dimemag.com, Austin Burton, May 4, 2009)

Approach to the Game

My game is to pass first and score second. I told myself I was going to rebound and get my teammates some open shots. (Akron Beacon Journal, Tom Reed, May 22, 2003)

*****

This is my game. I’m not going to force a shot. If I have the ball at the end of the game, I can make a play, and I don’t have to shoot.

-- On drawing a double team and then passing to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who made the game-winning shot in a 98-96 victory over the Boston Celtics. (espn.com, Associated Press, November 26, 2004)

*****

It just came natural to me. I knew early that this is a team sport and I took that to heart. It just came natural for me. I love the success of my teammates more than my individual achievements. I’ve just always cared more about that since I started playing, and that continues to this day. (avclub.com, Scott Tobias September 30, 2009)

*****

Three straight wins, that’s what it’s about. I try to do any and every thing for our team to win basketball games. If I’ve got to go out and do that, then I’m all for it.

-- After recording his third consecutive triple-double. (nba.com, Associated Press, Bob Baum, March 13, 2009)

Asian Basketball Fans

They love the game of basketball. They love LeBron James….It’s great. (The Japan Times, Ed Odeven, August 29, 2006)

Back-to-Back 60 Win Seasons