LeBron James, Chris Paul Share Common Bond
March 27, 2008
It's common to refer to a close friend as a member of the family, but it becomes more meaningful when a friend is part of a family growing.
LeBron James and Chris Paul have been known each other for six or seven years, since their stocks were rising as high school players and their paths crossed at various camps and All-Star games. It goes beyond a casual association. The two have grown much closer since both reached the NBA level. Last year, Paul was James' guest during the NBA Finals and was there with James' family when his second son, Bryce, was born.
''It's a friendship that's been long, he means a lot to my family,'' James said before facing Paul's New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night. ''I always support my good friends and he's on top of my list.''
Both Paul and LeBron James have become legitimate Most Valuable Player candidates this season, which makes their relationship more of a story. But their mutual support system came into play last year. After a great second season in 2005-06, Paul struggled with Team USA during the summer of 2006 and lost his starting spot on the national team by the end of the World Championships.
Then he had a foot injury last season that hampered him and the Hornets as they struggled and missed the playoffs. Come the summer, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams and Jason Kidd had taken Paul's role on the national team.
LeBron James and Paul talked 4-5 times a week during the whole time with James helping to keep Paul's head up. Now healthy, Paul, a speedy point guard, is having a huge season and LeBron James is not surprised. He also expects him to be with him come August at the Olympics.
''He's the best point guard in the league in my eyes,'' James said. ''Without him, they wouldn't be No. 1 in the West. A guy with that kind of speed if he has any foot injury it is going to hurt him. His game is based on quickness. I don't think it'll be a problem with him getting a spot on the national team with the way he's been playing.''
In the locker room
. Despite his pain-free practice on Tuesday, the Cavs elected not to play Daniel Gibson, who missed his 18th game with a left high-ankle sprain. Gibson expressed optimism he'd be back against the Hornets, but the Cavs' training staff did not clear him.
''They felt it would be good to give him another few days,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ''I think it is the right thing.''
Ben Wallace missed his second consecutive game while recovering from a back injury. With two days off before back-to-back games this weekend, the idea is to be conservative with both Gibson and Wallace to get them closer to 100 percent for the season's final 10 games.
. Chris Webber officially retired on Wednesday. Looking back on his career, did James remember his great seasons with the Sacramento Kings or his infamous timeout in the NCAA National Championship Game? Not exactly.
''I just remember him as a freshman at Michigan ,'' James said. ''They were the first team to wear all black shoes with black socks and white uniforms, I'll always remember that.''
