Cleveland Cavaliers Daily Blogs: Inside The Actor’s Studio: LeBron James’ Hits And Misses

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Yesterday came the news that LeBron James is set to make his feature film debut in a comedy called Fantasy Basketball Camp where he’ll play a character called…”LeBron James” who…hosts a fantasy camp only to get caught up in the personal lives of his campers. Filming is set to start next summer, and while the flick sounds like a flop of Divac-ian proportions, as long as it doesn’t interfere with LBJ’s training for his Knick debut (Hello Cleveland!), it’s all good with us.

But LeBron’s not the totally out-of-leftfield casting choice you might think he is—it turns out dude’s been working on his acting chops for years (and not just acting bitchmade). To get an idea of how King James might do as a leading man, we took a look back at the highs and lows of his career as a thespian…

HIGH: NIKE’S “LEBRONS” CAMPAIGN
This classic from the “LeBrons” series from a few years ago shows LBJ inhabiting four alter egos. Our only issue: We’d like to have seen a lot more of pre-pubescent lil’ ‘Bron. Did we just say that out loud?

LOW: FEAR THE CHAMBER
King James doesn’t do much acting in this clip, until the end when he performs a karate kick and lets out a girlish shriek like someone’s squeezing the crown jewels.

HIGH: SEDUCING NICOLE SCHERZINGER
LeBron holds his own with noted acting heavyweight Nicole Scherzinger. Of course Corky from Life Goes On could’ve held his own with noted acting heavyweight Nicole Scherzinger, but give dude his due.

LOW: NBA’S “WHERE AMAZING HAPPENS” CAMPAIGN
First rule of acting: Don’t try too hard, and LeBron is clearly doing that here, reaching for the high notes in Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” Either that or that’s the way he really sings, which doesn’t bode well for roles in any potential Mamma Mia! sequels.

HIGH: “THIS IS SPORTSCENTER”: JAMMED COPIER
Nice, understated work from LeBron here, channeling the office equipment frustrations of the everyman. If Mike Judge ever gets around to that “Office Space” sequel, we’re thinking James could be a black Milton Waddams.

LOW: “THIS IS SPORTSCENTER”: MISSING THRONE
Again, LeBron fails acting basics here, not knowing what to do with his hands as he returns to his desk. We’d suggest he play with his championship ring but Mr. Eva Longoria’s wearing it.

HIGH: VITAMIN WATER COURTROOM SCENE
LBJ gets his Raymond Burr on here, with a little Meadowlark Lemon thrown in. Courtroom dramas are always a good career move. Look for LeBron to replace Sam Waterston when he finally retires from Law & Order after the 47th season.