AKRON, Ohio -- In his first interview since joining the
Los Angeles Lakers,
LeBron James sat down with ESPN's Rachel Nichols to talk about the opening of his foundation's I Promise School in Akron, his move to Hollywood and what it's like watching his son, LeBron James Jr., follow in his footsteps as a young basketball star.
Here is a transcript, edited for length, from the interview.
Rachel Nichols: So someone in the hallway was just saying that this is your first interview since you joined the Lakers. And I have to be honest, it caught my ear: Lakers forward LeBron James. What do you think when you hear that?
LeBron James: It still sounds kinda weird. But it definitely feels good, it feels good. And I'm looking forward to it.
RN: We're sitting here in this school you're opening in Akron, Ohio. You've talked about how much Ohio means to you, how much Cleveland, the Cavaliers have meant to you. How tough a call was it?
LJ: It's kind of a bittersweet moment right now. Sitting here in my school that I'm opening, around these kids, around this community. And then at the same time, making the switch to the other coast, being a part of the Lakers now. It's always a tough decision when you leave home or you leave an organization that you've been with for multiple years. It was tough to leave the first time. When I left Miami, leaving Cleveland once again, definitely tough. But you know, it's a decision that was best for me and my family. I think both sides feel great and appreciative of the moments and the time that we have spent together.
RN: You announced it quicker this time than you have with your free agency moves in the past. Is that reflective of the fact that you've kind of reached that peace and decision quickly?
LJ: Absolutely. I'm at a point where I know what I want, what I like, and my family played a huge part in that. So no need for the dramatics of the drawn-out conclusion of things. Just get right to it.
RN: Can I ask you about your other job, the whole basketball player thing? You've made a huge change, and you've talked about the weight and idea of helping this historic Lakers franchise -- and you looked up to big names like the Lakers, the Cowboys, the Yankees and stuff as a kid -- bringing that franchise back up to championship level is an exciting goal for you. I want to know why you picked that over going to a team that's closer to winning a championship now, because those are two different things?
LJ: I definitely thought long and hard about the possibilities of lining up alongside Ben [Simmons] and [Joel] Embiid, or lining up alongside [James] Harden and Chris [Paul]. I just felt like at this point in my career, the ultimate for me -- just like when I went to Miami, everyone kind of looks at me joining a superteam, but if people look at it, I think Miami was [47-35] the year before I joined that team and you can look at the Lakers' record -- so I like the challenge of being able to help a team get to some place they haven't been in quite a while. Obviously the Lakers haven't made the playoffs in a few years, but the Lakers organization and the historical franchise matches up there with all the greats -- you can look at the Cowboys, and you can look at the Patriots, you can look at Manchester United, the
Boston Celtics -- these are historical franchises and for me to be a part of that, I think it's a great moment for not only me but for my family and for the history of basketball in general.
RN: When you look at that roster though, you're the only All-Star on there. You could have told the Lakers, "Hey I'd be willing to come, but please do what it takes to get Kawhi Leonard here too." Why didn't you want to do that?
LJ: Because I love the young guys that they have, and I'm not trying to force my hand in no way, shape or form. I believe Rob [Pelinka] and Magic [Johnson] and Jeanie [Buss] have done an unbelievable job of reshaping what the organization should be, keeping Dr. Buss' dreams and what he was all about, to keep that going. I feel like they know what's best for the team and I wanted to be a piece to continue that motion of being back to a championship franchise where they should be.
RN: There is one guy who could have come with you:
Paul George. What were your conversations with him before he decided to stay with the Thunder?
LJ: I didn't have many conversations with Paul, and I think Paul did what was best for him. And I think that's what everybody should do as players, they should do what's best for them and their family. You shouldn't get too pressured by anybody. If there's somebody they want to play with, and they have the opportunity to do it, then go for it. I think we all see that he made the best decision for himself and his family.
RN: Now the Lakers have signed other free agents that have raised some eyebrows -- you have a guy who's a "Shaqtin' a Fool" MVP, you have a guy who wears wrist watches on his ankles, you have someone who likes to blow in other players' ears including yours. Why should people not be skeptical of this roster?
LJ: 'Cause we got guys who love to play basketball. And that's what they do every single day. I love that, and I think Pelinka and Magic love that as well. And that's why they made the signings. Bringing Lance [Stephenson] and JaVale [McGee] and [
Michael Beasley] and [Rajon] Rondo -- guys that every day they wake up they're thinkin' about the game of basketball. Everything else is secondary. So we look forward to all the challenges and, I mean, eyebrows is always gonna get raised when my name is involved anyway, so it shouldn't even be a surprise.
RN: A lot of these are one-year contracts. The Lakers talked about wanting that flexibility still for next summer. A lot of big free agents could be available then. You're turning 34 this season, though. How do you feel about the idea that what could be one of the last years of your prime is going to be more of a building year?
LJ: I don't even look at it like that, 'cause I don't feel like this is one of the last years of my prime. I think that's another statistic number, and I've always been a part of beating the odds in life. Being around my kids allow -- it gives me even more and more time in my youth. I don't feel like this is even a rebuilding year for us. We have an opportunity to do something that a lot of people don't think we can do. And we love the notion of, "it's another rebuilding year and we don't have enough." So that will motivate the guys that we have anyway.
