NBA back! It’s been a rough few days without NBA ball, but before we jump into the stretch run with the playoffs on the horizon, we have to acknowledge LeBron James’ incredible All-Star Weekend.
If you haven’t been keeping tabs on the empire that King James is building, you should take notice. Last weekend was huge for him.
Let’s start with his incredible conversation with ESPN broadcaster Cari Champion and Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant.
Part of the Rolling with the Champion series that Champion hosts for the Uninterrupted platform, she interviews NBA players as she drives them around. Their convos normally touch on music, culture, and of course basketball.
Bron & KD chopped it up on various topics, the most controversial one included United States President Donald Trump. The pair of MVPs kept it real, using their voice to express their concerns on the state of America under its current presidency.
“The number 1 job in America, the appointed person is someone who doesn’t understand the people,” the athlete said at one point, adding that some of the president’s comments are “laughable and scary.”
If you haven’t heard already, their criticism of the president wasn’t well received by one, Lauren Ingraham, Fox News host (go figure). Players using their platforms to express themselves has become more prominent recently and it’s a good thing.
These icons are more than just super star athletes, they share some of the same thoughts and opinions of those that don’t have the platform to speak up. It’s important that their voices are heard.
In lighter news, have you seen the LeBron x Kith collab? One word — wow.
LBJ joined Ronnie Fieg, owner-operator of the retail establishment Kith, in the opening of Kith’s LA location. The opening featured a footwear and apparel collection with Nike and Bron Bron he calls “Long Live the King.”
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Fieg and James were part of an invite-only panel that also included Nike designer Jason Petrie, led by Complex’s “Sneaker Shopping” host Joe La Puma.
During the event, Fieg explained the concept behind his this collection.
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“I strongly believe that a lot of us take LeBron for granted,” he explained. “We wanted to base this whole project around his birthday and really celebrate his life right now for the moment, and remind people that you’re watching greatness.”
After its first release for the “Long Live the King” collection, Kith held off on the second drop — and on the opening of the L.A. store — to capitalize on All-Star Weekend.
During the discussion, James shared his thoughts on the collection now that consumers can buy it.
“I’ve been a part of the whole process, so it’s always a great feeling when I see it actually on feet or when I can wear it on game day,”
Now how do you top off a weekend like that? By winning MVP of the All-Star game of course! With a new ASG format in place, LeBron and Stephen Curry had the opportunity to draft their teams that went to war on the court at Staples Center.
The previous NBA All-Star games had become kind of a bore, but this time the All-Star game itself was the best event of the weekend. We saw the best of the best go at it and even play some defense.
Bron’s team came back from a 10+ point deficit in the 4th to win. The King finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Bravo, LeBron, dominating on and off the court.