LeBron James graces the cover of GQ Magazine February 2009, and is featured in a photo shoot by Michael Thompson and a feature article and interview.  The Cleveland Cavaliers NBA superstar is attired in a  gray Ralph Lauren  suit and pink shirt that looks fabulous on the magazine’s cover.

It’s quite a contrast from the controversial April 2008 Vogue cover, in which the NBA superstar appeared in an Annie Leibovitz photo with supermodel Gisele Bundchen in a pose that evoked King Kong and racial stereotyping. He was the first black man to appear on the cover in the magazine’s 116 year history, though the cover did nothing to advance a positive image of black men, nor reveal James’ usual sartorial excellence.

“It’s great,” he said of his GQ cover. “It shows that I’m fashionable. I never thought I would be on the cover of GQ. But I’ve done some things I never thought I would do.”

Source: James to appear on GQ cover in February

The feature article by Joe Lovell has an interview with the superstar and also chronicles the amusing story of what happened when “six pale, earthbound desk jockeys from GQ challenged the greatest basketball player on earth, also known as LeBron James, to a game of basketball at the time and place of his choosing. Unfortunately, the challenge was accepted.”  Hence the article is titled: Lebron-21 GQ-2.   Team GQ played LeBron James, five-on-one on December 8, 2008.

In the interview LeBron James discussed a range of topics.

You always seemed to be, like, 18 going on 38. You never got into any trouble. Who played that mentor role for you?
My mom raised me the right way, to know the difference between right and wrong and be accountable for your own actions. Another thing that helped me is that I got drafted to a team that I grew up a half hour away from. I was able to stay home with my friends and family, the people I grew up with, and have that comfort level. That definitely helped. [...]

What did you think about [election night 2008]?

I thought it was unbelievable. Being African-American and growing up in the inner city, you only think there are a few ways out. It shouldn’t be like that, but it is. You think there’s basketball or doing it the wrong way, and we all know what the wrong way is. Seeing Obama get elected, you’re like, Wow, I can put on a shirt and tie and run for office. If not get elected president, I could be the mayor, or, I don’t know, you can do anything now. It means a lot.

The article continues….Lebron-21 GQ-2. Visit to see all of the LeBron James GQ photos.  Cover image here: Mark Pasetsky’s CoverAwards

Here is the video link for the top video, a tribute video of his remarkable game.

Here is video of LeBron James on Letterman September 10, 2008 (the same night as President-Elect Barack Obama’s appearance on the program) talking about the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and Team USA’s gold medal win.  More Michael Thompson GQ photos below.



YouTube Link

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LeBron James GQ Magazine February 2009 Cover, Photos pics pictures