LeBron Premieres Movie, But Pushes Cleveland Cavaliers Moves
July 12, 2015 (The Sports Xchange) — Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, also a Hollywood actor, brought the screening of his romantic comedy “Trainwreck” to his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
But James first talked basketball, making it clear he wants to see more talent brought in by the Cavs this summer, according to ESPN.com.
“It’s been good so far, but we have a lot of work to do,” James, who co-stars in the movie, said Friday evening when asked about the Cavs’ offseason. “We still got to re-sign Tristan (Thompson). Hopefully we can bring back J.R. (Smith) as well and see if there’s some other free agents out there that’d love to come here and play if we’re able to do that.
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“We definitely don’t want to come back the same team. We want to come back better. But right now, we’ve been doing so far, so good.”
James officially signed a two-year extension with Cleveland earlier Friday, worth $23 million annually. He has a player option on the second year.
The Cavs have reached official agreements with forward Kevin Love, guard Iman Shumpert and guard Mo Williams, who was James’ former teammate in Cleveland from 2008-2010.
About 500 fans lined up outside the theater to get a glimpse of the “Trainwreck” stars in attendance, including Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Vanessa Bayer and director Judd Apatow alongside his wife, actress Leslie Mann.
The movie’s larger debut is Tuesday in New York and it opens nationwide on July 17.
Williams, who signed a two-year deal with the Cavs earlier in the day, walked the red carpet at the movie screening, arriving with Cleveland general manager David Griffin.
James was supported at the event by his mother, Gloria, who rolled up to the red carpet in a white Porsche Panamera, and his wife, Savannah.
“I try to do a lot for this city,” James said of inviting the cast of the movie to Ohio. “Any way I can continue to uplift the city and the things that I do, it always kind of made sense to me. And this one did (too).”
James, a four-time NBA MVP, said his priority is his basketball career and bringing a championship to Cleveland after the Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
“I ain’t no movie star,” the 30-year-old James said. “I know my day job.”
James returned to his home state in July 2014, leaving the Miami Heat four years — and two NBA championships — after bolting Cleveland in an excruciating public departure.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, also a Hollywood actor, brought the screening of his romantic comedy “Trainwreck” to his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
