NEW YORK — LeBron James can add “60 Minutes” to his ever-growing list of accomplishments.
James was the subject of a flattering profile by show contributor Steve Kroft that aired Sunday night on CBS and highlighted the quick ascent to stardom and versatility of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 24-year-old leader.
James has graced the covers of sports and fashion magazines, shown a knack for comedy hosting “Saturday Night Live,” danced at the ESPY Awards and controls a multimillion dollar endorsement portfolio.
What he doesn’t have is an NBA championship.
“It’s one of the ultimate goals for me as a basketball player,” James told Kroft in a one-on-one interview that was recorded several month ago.
When Kroft asked, “How close do you think the team is?” James said, “We’re very close.”
The Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA this season and James is second in the league in scoring.
The magazine show spent time at one of James’ practices and filmed him at his Akron high school — where he sank a 60-foot, underhanded shot — as well as at a concert for President Barack Obama he hosted at Quicken Loans Arena with rapper and close friend Jay-Z.
James told Kroft he still watches Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals, where he scored the Cavaliers’ final 25 points in a double overtime victory at Detroit.
“The game was so magical,” James said.
Kroft marveled at James’ performance, calling it in his narration, “one of the greatest clutch performances in history,” and asked James, “You didn’t feel nervous taking those shots?”
“No. You can’t be afraid to fail,” James told Kroft. “It’s the only way you succeed — you’re not going to succeed all the time, and I know that. You have to be able to accept failure to get better.”
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