We Are Family

LeBron James grew up in Akron, Ohio. Like Lorain, Ohio, the city of Akron is an underserved community. Like Jayden, James saw basketball as a way to reach an elite socioeconomic status and take care of his family. In an interview with People, James confirmed that he feels a “natural connection” with Jayden (Gilette, Sam. “How LeBron James’ Love of Basketball and Being Raised by a Single Mom Inspired New Kids’ Book.” People, 2 Sept. 2021). Aside from sharing Jayden’s dedication to basketball, James’s childhood mirrors Jayden’s. James’s father was absent, and he had a close relationship with his mother, who supported him and motivated him to succeed. Like Jayden and the members of Hoop Group, James became part of a legendary amateur team, the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. As with the Hoop Group members, the Shooting Stars developed a family-like bond, with James and three other members playing for the same high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. After Jayden makes the winning shot in the tournament, he’s recruited to play for an elite high school. In terms of basketball and family dynamics, Jayden is an autobiographical character for James.

The other members of the team also link to James’s life. One of James’s nicknames is “Captain LeMerica,” indicating that he shares Tamika’s leadership skills. James is also known for his deep basketball IQ, connecting him to Dex, who studies NBA games from different eras on YouTube. Since James also frequently speaks out against injustices, he demonstrates the same introspection evinced by Anthony, who uses creative writing to document his complex thoughts and feelings.

Less flatteringly, James also links to Chris. Chris changes by the end of the story, but when the reader first meets him, they see a self-important young person who puts his interests before the team’s. People have criticized James for showcasing egocentric behavior; basketball followers faulted him for leaving his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and signing with the Miami Heat before the 2010-11 NBA season. Additionally, James announced the move in a TV special on ESPN, The Decision (July 8, 2010), which some viewers panned as a hubristic spectacle.

Like Chris, James has a reputation for imposing his influence in areas where he shouldn’t. He allegedly uses his stardom to fire coaches and force trades and signings—transactions that aren’t necessarily in the best interest of the team. James was allegedly behind the 2016 firing of the Cavaliers’ head coach David Blatt even though Blatt had an excellent record with them. James was also reputedly responsible for the Lakers drafting Bronny James after one year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Bronny is James’s eldest son, and basketball pundits and fans believe that Bronny benefits from nepotism and is not yet talented enough to deserve a spot in the NBA. Nevertheless, on October 22, 2024, James and Bronny became the first father and son to play together in an NBA game, advancing James’s belief that basketball has a family dynamic.