Romeo Travis, who grew up with the best player in the world, in a special interview with "Israel Today" ahead of tonight's meeting with Limoges against Hapoel Jerusalem • An interview about King James' legacy, as well as some memories from Israel
Romeo Travis with LeBron James.
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IP
Due to family and financial difficulties, LeBron James lived as a child in the home of his coach, Frankie Walker.
In those years he and the coach's son, Frankie Jr., became friends with four children from the area, and the six became a cohesive group.
One of the group is a player from the French Limoges, Romeo Travis, who is remembered by Israeli basketball fans from the two years he played in Israel, Elitzur Barak Netanya and Hapoel Gilboa / Galil (2012-2010).
Travis (36) remains one of King James' best friends, and in a special interview with "Israel Today" ahead of Hapoel Jerusalem's important game against his team, he talks about his close relationship with the best player in the world and the memories from Israel.
"LeBron and I had many Jewish childhood friends who visited Israel and told us many good things. When the offer came from Netanya, LeBron recommended that I take it. When I arrived, I saw for myself how magical and amazing your country is."
When LeBron says "I'm just a Macron kid," what does he mean?
"Akron is a small town in Ohio without a lot of residents and it's hard to be a professional athlete there, but LeBron has changed that. He's not only the best player in the world, he not only takes care of opening schools - he always remembers where he came from, because statistically he was not supposed to Being able to do all this. A lot of Macron people are destitute, without money, who do not do positive things. There is crime and people go to jail, and when I was a kid it was noticeable, and I knew I should not go in the direction of sports at all. But he? Is special, because he Changed the world for the residents of Akron. "
There's a lot of talk about LeBron's legacy. What do you know, what legacy he himself wants to leave behind?
"He wants to be remembered for what he did off the field. A lot of people can play until late in life and be good players. He wants to be remembered for his opinions and the things he did for thousands of people in education, for example, things like that are most important to him. People who could. "
We only know LeBron the actor, the star. Tell us a little about the LeBron man, how he's off the field.
"For me LeBron is someone I played with and he just wanted me to be good and succeed in everything I do. He is a great person who loves people, and wants the best for those around him."
Does he have a goal to play with his son Bruni?
"LeBron would be happy to be the first to play with his son. It would be cool if there was an opportunity for that, but I don't know if that set it as a goal for him."
LeBron already has four championships, and the Lakers are the strongest team in the league.
Is he aiming for number 6 (the amount of Michael Jordan championships)?
"It's not something that interests him. He spends time reaching his goals, not the goals of others. People argue about who's best, and forget that it's not something comparable. Watch Michael's videos and forget that you remember something - it's not necessarily real and accurate. Everything is amplified. .
"Think I'm a bully who likes to fight"
The powerful forward played in Israel for two seasons, in which he reached the state cup final, the semi-final of the Final Four and also won with Gilboa in the Balkan league.
However, the image created around him is of a tough player who is easily dragged into fights.
Especially remember the boxing match in the 2011 Cup final with David Blue and the end, during which the Greek giant hit his back with a punch of fists.
"How can you forget," he says, "I wish it had never happened. Too bad I did not do things differently. I was nervous and had to control my anger. Probably a lot of people think I'm a bully who likes to fight, but I'm really not like that. I'm not angry, but Loves joy and fun and jokes. Despite what everyone thinks. "
When will we see you and LeBron visit Israel?
"As you probably know, he is very busy. I believe that when we both retire we will have time. Israel is one of my favorite places in the world, and we will probably want to visit the Holy Land."
The moment of truth of Jerusalem
Hapoel Jerusalem does not depend on itself in the fight for promotion to the next stage of the Champions League.
The Reds must win in France and hope that in the match that takes place at that time, Turk Telecom will beat Iguoca at home.
If the Bosnians win, Adomitis and his trainees will end the European season earlier than expected