LeBron James sat down with ABC’s “Good Morning America” crew on Thursday and talked about what really motivates him.
For James — fresh off signing a $100 million, three-year contract with the Cavaliers — the most important thing isn’t winning NBA titles.
It’s giving back to the community that made it all possible.
LeBron James holds his daughter Zhuri during a press conference after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals (Getty Images)
“It feels so good to be back with my hometown team and just commit for another three years on the team to continue to build excellence on the court and off the floor,” the reigning Finals MVP stated. “It’s a good time for my family, a good time for Cavalier fans and everybody that’s a part of it.”
“For me, to be able to go back into my community and have hands on, start kid by kid, block by block and street by street, and building that up, I feel like that helps us to make a change ultimately for the rest of us.”
WATCH:
WATCH: LeBron James (@KingJames) pays it forward; the @Cavs, @NBA Champ’s mission to help kids, parents and more. https://t.co/1TPbw5qlsA
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 18, 2016
“I definitely could’ve been a statistic,” he told Rachel Nichols. “I mean, I grew up in a single parent household. My mother was 16 when she had me. I grew up in the inner city where there’s a lot of violence. … You know, I had days where I just felt like it was just me and mom, you know, and no one cared, you know, and there’s no way that — we’re going be able to make it out of this.”
WATCH:
WATCH: “To be able to give [my kids] the blueprint, it means everything.” – @KingJames on his family https://t.co/XB9Hxun7W3
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 18, 2016
WATCH: “I haven’t had that feeling in a long time… if ever.” – @KingJames on bringing a title to the @Cavs. @NBA https://t.co/TTY10Ag6Cl
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 18, 2016
WATCH: “Can’t wait to get back to Cleveland, get back to work, defend our title.” – @KingJames on the @Cavs. #Cavs https://t.co/Y7fhjmeJqj
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 18, 2016