James: Chinese young people love basketball and are getting better and better!

Last week, NBA basketball star James came to China for the 15th time. He was not only the first player in the league to break the 50,000 mark, but in his long career, many children and young people fell in love with basketball when watching him play.

Bai Yansong: Welcome to China again. This is a photo of you when you came to China six years ago in 2019. Time flies so fast. What kind of mood and feelings do you feel this time?

American basketball professional athlete James: I feel good. It feels great to come to China again, and to be so warmly welcomed and meet so many good people. So I'm so glad to be back here again.

Bai Yansong: It takes courage to thank you for speaking for China six years ago.

Bai Yansong: This is the first game in your life after entering the NBA. That was already 22 years ago. Did you think that you would achieve such a high achievement at that time?

James: I can't sit here to predict how many championship titles I will win in 22 years, but I know I will devote myself to improving my skills and do my best to become the best basketball player. I won't cheat on this process, I won't cheat on the sport. I can't predict how many championship titles I can win, how many MVP, All-Star or Olympic medals, all of which come with what you've prepared throughout the process. But I know very well that I will seize everything I have now and become the best and best self.

Bai Yansong: More than 20 years have passed, and you are almost the only player who can still be in the best team in the league. Why is it always the best? Is there any secret to this?

James: I think it is dedication. I try to keep improving and keep scoring goals through continuous investment. I don’t know what it is, but it is the kind of sincerity for basketball and the sports process. I mentioned "full commitment" many times, but it is indeed part of my DNA and one of the creeds I admire.

In 2002, 17-year-old James emerged and swept the American high school league with 26 wins and 1 loss. The dominant performance of body, strength, technology, mind and the field made broadcasters make an exception, making it the first time in history to broadcast the high school league in the United States.

Under the age of 19, he became the youngest draft champion in the NBA. He has been involved in the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers, leading every club to win the championship. 4 NBA championship trophys, 4 NBA Finals MVPs, and 3 Olympic gold medals are not enough to summarize his legend.

Now, the star of the same age has long retired, but he is "old" at the age of 40 and has played for 22 years, and is still in "super long standby". Individuals have 50,000 points, 11,000 rebounds, and 11,000 assists. Some people say that in NBA history, Jordan is the highest mountain, and James is the longest river. At the beginning of this year, he had become teammates with his eldest son Brownie.

Bai Yansong: My friend said that you had already started fitness training in the hotel at six o'clock this morning. Are you always ready to start the battle immediately?

James: Always. I don't think there will be any surprises when you're ready, whether it's starting the game or anything else. Therefore, I always train in advance to prepare myself and participate in the competition at any time. I think preparation is the key to success.

Bai Yansong: Is age important to you? Do you think the oil in the fuel tank is still full?

James: No, age is not a problem. Age is just a number. At any time, as long as I am on the court, I will definitely feel energetic and will do my best to contribute to my teammates.

Bai Yansong: You have won many championships and set many records. In fact, young people now want to get an answer from you. What should a champion's heart look like?

James: I think having a champion heart means you need to devote yourself to improving your skills every day, both physically, mentally, mentally and emotionally. If you want to do something, you have to be fully focused, and I think that's the key. Put yourself in a certain business instead of worrying about the outcome, no longer worrying about success, but like the process itself. When you fall in love with this process, I think it seems that everything will come naturally, and this has always been my life creed.

Bai Yansong: On March 5 this year, you scored more than 50,000, of course, the first person in the history of the league, but then people found that your expression was very calm. Tell us what you were thinking at that moment, and what did you think of this new record?

James: I don't think the significance lies in the record itself. In my eyes, it is just a microcosm of my career, showing my efforts to improve my skills and my love for basketball. I have invested a lot of time and worked hard to be the best player, and I have always wanted to be a better self. And that record-breaking moment was a form of feedback that I gained after working hard. It's really cool.

Bai Yansong: Will he break your record?

James: This photo is really great. At that moment, I was able to be with my son, he pursued his own dreams, and I also pursued his own dreams, and we were able to be with each other, which was very special.

Bai Yansong: When playing basketball with his son, everyone thought it was a very happy scene, but at that moment would you feel that you are "I'm a little old."

James: No. That's the best, definitely the best.

For Chinese fans, as the No. 1 pick in the NBA, Yao Ming and James have attracted much attention every time they meet. 11 regular season matches, James won 3 wins and 8 losses. As the first opponent to give James zero assists in a single game, Yao Ming was dubbed James' "terminator" by the media.

Bai Yansong: Of course, when you come to China, you will talk to Yao Ming. This is the scene where you and Yao Ming appear together. What kind of opponent he is and what kind of friend he is.

James: Yao Ming is a very amazing person, one of the best people we can know. We all understand how much he has contributed to Chinese basketball and his inspirational role to the whole world, especially Chinese athletes. Whether it is an opponent or a friend, it is a very pleasant experience to get along with Yao Ming.

Bai Yansong: He will definitely arrange for you to have a meal.

James: Sometimes I will drink together, so I will bring a bottle of good wine next time I meet. In 2020, 15 times, through the bridge built by basketball, China has become the country that James visited the most. In 2005, when he first came to Beijing, he was still a young man wearing a white towel. Later, he went to more Chinese cities, liked to see giant pandas and loved to eat hot pot. Recently, he became fascinated by Chinese trendy toys Labubu. James gave it a name similar to himself, LeBronBron.

Bai Yansong: Do you still remember? This is a scene during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. What does the Beijing Olympics remember you?

James: The deepest memory left to me by the Beijing Olympics is the "Redification Team". We formed a team that understands our mission and is excited to get together to win games. The Beijing Olympics are a very unforgettable moment for us, both as players and as a team.

Bai Yansong: Another young man in China is going to participate in the NBA. This is a challenge. In your experience, what do you want to say to them? How can we continuously improve?

James: My advice is that if you love this sport, you must devote yourself to it, continue to work hard, continue to play, and continue to love. As I mentioned earlier, the key is not to win or lose, but to the process. If you can devote yourself to the process, I think the sport will naturally give you a reward. This is the most important part. On the last day of the trip to China, James appeared with basketball players Zhao Rui, Cui Yongxi, Li Meng and others. Nine years ago, when Zhao Rui met James, he was still a young boy who had never played in a CBA game. Today, Zhao Rui has grown into the captain of the Chinese men's basketball team.

Chinese Men's Basketball Captain Zhao Rui: I think it is rare to have this kind of opportunity to train with the stars I like in life. I cherished it at that time and I don't know when the next time I see you.

Every time I come to China, James will compete with young people who love basketball and share basketball skills. He always encourages the children who love basketball. James interprets his philosophy with his own actions. Basketball is not only a sport, but also a bridge connecting each other.

Bai Yansong: Will you become a coach in the future?

James: No, no, I won't be a coach. Basketball inspired me, I love basketball, but I don’t have the idea of ​​becoming a coach in the future.

Bai Yansong: There are many children in China who may have been watching your games in the past, and now they may be watching your interviews, looking forward to this new season, etc. Do you particularly want to say something to these children who may fall in love with basketball? Why is basketball good? Why should they play basketball?

James: They don't have to play basketball. But if they want to fight, they have to devote themselves to it. There are many excellent athletes in China and many outstanding children are full of enthusiasm for the sport of basketball. If playing basketball is what they want to do, they have to work hard to invest. Basketball in my eyes will bring endless happiness and satisfaction to people. Basketball is an extraordinary sport. It takes you all over the world, to places you never thought you would go, bringing you endless fun. Basketball is a wonderful sport, the most beautiful sport in the world. If a child is hesitating whether to play basketball, I will tell them that they should play because I understand that basketball will definitely bring them endless fun in the future.

Bai Yansong: Have you calculated it? This is your fifteenth time in China.

James: Right. Yes.

Bai Yansong: Have someone else taught you a few Chinese words or two?

James: Hello, thank you. These are the only two Chinese languages ​​I know.

Whether it is Jordan, Kobe, Curry, not long ago, and James this time, they are using star-like performance to attract more children to love basketball and sports, and can also become a platform for people to communicate between countries. In response to the related issues of the new season that everyone is paying attention to, James believes that it is not the time to give a clear answer immediately, so I will look forward to it and wish you a blessing! I also hope that more children love sports and life!