CLEVELAND - LeBron James spent part of the past week shooting hoops with Dave
and eating cheeseburgers with one of the world's richest men.
During a taped appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" that will air
on Friday, the Cavaliers' star forward took on the talk show host in a shooting
contest outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in midtown Manhattan.
James fired up shots from 3-point range while Letterman shot free throws.
Before their matchup, Letterman interviewed James on a range of subjects,
including his high school days, his quick ascension to NBA star and playing for
the United States in the world championships this summer.
A few days earlier, James had lunch in Omaha, Neb., with billionaire Warren
Buffett. Keith Estabrook, a spokesman for James, said the two met over
milkshakes, adding the player has "great respect for Mr. Buffet."
James, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the
Cavaliers in July, may have been seeking some off-the-court business advice from
Buffett, the self-made billionaire investor.
Last year, in an interview with The Associated Press, James said one of his
primary goals was to "be the richest man in the world." James, who will turn 22
in December, already has endorsement deals worth an estimated $150 million.
Buffett sported a full Cavaliers uniform, complete with a jersey bearing his
name, during his lunch with James and others, said Jen Bubarek, a waitress at
Crescent Moon Ale House.
James ordered a bacon cheeseburger, french fries and an Arnold Palmer, a
drink concocted of lemonade and iced tea. Bubarek said he topped off his meal
with an Oreo cookie milkshake delivered by a Buffett staffer.
The waitress said Buffett frequents the casual restaurant, so it was
"business as normal" for the staff. But, she said, a group seated near Buffett's
table recognized James and asked to take his photo.
"He was very, very kind. He took pictures and signed autographs," she said.
In January, Buffett dropped into the restaurant with New York Yankees third
baseman Alex Rodriguez.
James was first invited to be a guest on Letterman's show when he was in high
school at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. But scheduling conflicts
delayed him making his late-night debut, which was taped on Monday
night.