NBA player LeBron James of the Miami Heat covers the March 2014 issue of GQ magazine. In the Terry Richardson shoot, the fashionable professional basketball player styled in designer brands including Rick Owens, Balenciaga, Michael Bastian, Thom Browne New York, Unis, Allen Edmonds, Ralph Lauren Black Label Denim, Tom Ford, Gucci, Fear of God, Giorgio Armani and more.
In his exclusive interview with writer, Jeanne Marie Laskas (who traveled to Miami for a day with Bron Bron) he talked about wanting to become a billionaire, basketball, fatherhood, people saying that he changed, still being that kid from Akron, his responsibility to his community, changing for the better, being an example and much more. Below are some excerpts:
On wanting to become a billionaire:
“If it happens. It’s my biggest milestone. Obviously. I want to maximize my business. And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my God, I’m gonna be excited.”
On being one of the greatest basketball players:
“My drive to be the greatest basketball player ever is very high.”
On if he wanted to, he could average thirty-five points a game, but he prefers to pass the ball to his teammates:
“Like, I could average thirty-five points a game if I really wanted to. But then—it wouldn’t be me. So I don’t know if I could do it, because of my instincts. I see a teammate open—even if I have a great shot—I see a teammate open for a better shot, I gotta feed him. It’s like, my mind sometimes be like ‘Shoot it,’ but then—my instincts, you know?”
T-shirt, $294, and pants, $708, by Rick Owens. Sneakers by Balenciaga
Sweater, $495, and jean, $395, by Ralph Lauren Black Label Denim.
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NEXT PAGE: MORE PICS OF BRON BRON FOR GQ MAGAZINE AND EXCERPTS
Shirt, $345 by Michael Bastian. Tie, $170 by Thom Browne New York. Pants, $198 by Unis. Shoes, $275 by Allen Edmonds. Hat by Borsalino at JJ Hat Center.
On fatherhood being like sports:
“Being a leader of my household, a leader of Miami, a leader of Team USA. It’s the same exact thing. You can sense when a guy is frustrated—maybe doesn’t feel involved enough in the offense. As leader you go over to him, you know, ‘How can I help?’ Because at the end of the day, we all have one common goal—and that’s to be great.”
On still being that kid from Akron:
“I’m the biggest voice that my hometown has ever seen. I’m the biggest figure that my hometown has ever seen. I do know that. I can see that. The responsibility of being the inspiration and the light for my community—it’s much greater than hitting a jump shot.”
Suit, $4,280, and shirt, $590, by Tom Ford. Tie, $180 by Charvet. Tie bar by The Tie Bar. Pocket square by Sid Mashburn.
On his responsibility to his community, changing for the better and being an example:
“It’s my responsibility to show them it’s not a bad thing to be someone who’s changed. Keep showing them what I’m doing. That what I’m doing is right. I’m not, obviously, I’m not no guru on life or guru on success or guru on, you know, huge topics in the world or in America. But I am an example. I’m an example that can be used.”
Jacket, $3,300 by Gucci. T-shirt, $115 by Fear of God. Sweatpants, $176 John Elliott + Co.
Suit, $3,075 by Giorgio Armani. T-shirt, $25 by A|X Armani Exchange. Sneakers, $150 by Nike. Glasses by Cutler and Gross.
Read the full cover story over at GQ.
Photos Credit: Terry Richardson via GQ Magazine