I remember my high school days playing against the “King” in Dayton, Ohio. It was as if he had already made it into the NBA and had proclaimed his championship status, but we were still in high school. Well I watched him win mutliple MVP’s and I understand why it would be a dream come true to young boys and girls to meet King James. He’s just that guy, never in any trouble, polite, great with the media, and an MVP and world champion basketball player. Oh, not to mention he’s won Gold with Team USA. This week Sports Center features a week long of making dreams come true for kids that are faced with life threatening ailments.
My Wish and LeBron James make Thiago D’Elia’s dream come true when he is invited to AmericanAirlines Arena to practice with LeBron James and sit courtside for a Miami Heat game.
“It’s unreal,” D’Elia said, wearing a black Heat uniform with No. 32 — his high school number — on it, along with his first name on the back. “No words for it, really. It’s kind of overwhelming but once you get used to it, it’s pretty fun.”
D’Elia spent time with the Heat after losing their 17-game home court winning streak snapped by Memphis a few months back, their Saturday workout was a light one for the Heat. It ended with a halfcourt shooting contest, with D’Elia taking part in that.
D’Elia also got a signed authentic game jersey and a pair of sneakers from James, as well as an autograph from Dwayne Wade. The autograph wasn’t for himself — D’Elia wanted it for a friend at home who recently had surgery. I don’t think it needs to be said, that he too has inserted his own version of making dreams come true.
D’Elia said his heart was racing “20 times over its limit” when he was on the floor with James, shooting free throws with him and then getting into a 3-point contest after practice.
“I thought I was going to have to call the ER right quick,” D’Elia said.
We ought to take a step back and put into perspective the good deeds celebrities take part in. Once upon a time my best friend Danny Lewis was a fan like D’Elia wanting a simple autograph from LeBron. LeBron has been signing autographs and shooting around with fans since he was in the eight grade. He already had college scholarships from every division one collegiate basketball team. We call him King, but he puts his pants on one leg at a time. It’s been such his whole life, he’s always been highly sought after and on the grandest stage of them all he finds time to Make Wishes Come True. So the next time you hear somebody say something negative about LeBron James, remember this story and remember that he’s been doing this since the eighth grade.
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