CLEVELAND: LeBron James intends to make good on his World Series bet with close friend Dwyane Wade and will wear a Chicago Cubs uniform Friday to the United Center as the Cavaliers take on the Bulls.
The Cubs defeated the Indians in Game 7, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to end a 108-year championship drought.
James said he’s not going to skimp and just put on a Cubs jersey.
“Hat, down to the pants, the socks,” James said.
But he’s drawing the line at baseball cleats and a glove.
“No, I’m not wearing cleats. I got a basketball game to play,” he said. “No glove. Just the uniform. I will be in uniform.”
James was not asked whose number he will wear, but chances are good he might sport No. 23, not used by a Cubs coach or player.
James said he was responsible for picking out the uniform.
“It’s a bet. You have to fulfill your bet,” he said. “Nothing more to it.”
In July, Wade left the Miami Heat, where he played for 13 seasons, to join his hometown team. James said seeing Wade in a different uniform will be no different than when Chris Paul joined the Los Angeles Clippers or Carmelo Anthony went to the New York Knicks. All are in James’ inner circle.
“We all have decisions to make and we’ve always supported each other,” James said. “Not only just because he’s in a different uniform, but just him being back home and understanding what his journey is right now. I think it’s more than just basketball for himself, being back home in Chicago. We all know the ... what’s going on in Chicago right now as far as besides sports, so it’s going to be pretty cool.”
Wade had spoken out against gun violence plaguing the city before his cousin, Nykea Aldridge, a 32-year-old mother of four, was shot to death while pushing her newborn in a stroller in the Parkway Gardens neighborhood in August.
Dunleavy out
Mike Dunleavy has been placed into the league’s concussion protocol and did not play Thursday when the Cavs hosted the Bucks.
Dunleavy was struck in the head during Tuesday’s loss at Milwaukee, but symptoms did not present until Thursday. The team is hopeful he can still travel on the team’s flight to Chicago after the game, meaning there remains a chance he could be cleared in time to play Friday against the Bulls.
Proud papa
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said watching his protégé, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, win the NBA Finals last season was one of his proudest life moments.
“It was the first time I was literally emotional when someone else is winning,” Rivers said. “Other than me winning, it was the best single day I have ever had, it was that emotional for me because he is like my son. It was awesome for me.”
Dribbles
LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November. James averaged 23.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists during games in October and November, leading the Cavs to a conference-best 13-2 mark. ... About 400 Cavs employees all received their replica championship rings during a ceremony before Thursday’s game. ... The Cavs and the sold-out crowd acknowledged James’ Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year award during the first quarter. James waved to the crowd and blew them a kiss.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.