Lake Erie Ink: Writing Interview Questions

THE LAKE ERIE INK PRESS

An Interview with LeBron James

LeBron James leans forward on the bleachers of Akron’s St. Vincent–St. Mary High School where he graduated a little over a decade ago. (Where is this interview taking place?) Ball bouncing like a metronome between his hands, he carries the same steady, laser-focused stare that the world watched him hold from the few minutes he spent on the bench as the Cleveland Cavaliers (What do you do?) took on the Golden State Warriors last month. (When is this interview taking place?)

Swaying up to the free throw line, one, two, release, swish. It’s hard not to imagine James as the tenacious young senior all-star who would skip college, catapult straight into the NBA and never look back. (When did you start doing what you’re doing?)

“I won at every level - all the way since I started playing the game of basketball at nine. I've won at every level, won championships at every level. And I knew I wouldn’t be fulfilled until I won at the highest level,” he trudges back to the bleachers, tugging at the Michael Jordan jersey clinging to his 6’8 frame. (ESPN, 2002) (SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY BASKETBALL, 2012) (Who is your inspiration?)

From an early age, James has been vocal about his admiration for the legacy of Jordan and how watching him in his youth propelled him toward greatness.

“From the shoes, to him flying through the air, to him hitting the threes against the Blazers, to him being on the TV screen with Bugs Bunny. I've got so many memories. MJ was an inspiration to me growing up,” says James of his youth. “You always tried to look for someone that was a superhero or someone who was beyond life. Mine was Batman, mine was Transformers and Michael Jordan. Growing up those were the ones. I was like, I wish I could transform into this, I wish I could fly like Michael Jordan, or propel like Batman does." (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 2013)

James grew his notoriety as one of the greatest players in the world on his hometown team of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But it’s impossible to tell his story without the years he left Cleveland behind to join the Miami Heat, finally earning his coveted championship ring.

Last July, James revealed he would make his triumphant return through an announcement in Sports Illustrated. His now infamous letter to Cleveland was filled with teamwork sentiments – “I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go.” – and regional pride – "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.”  

But more than anything, it told the story of James himself, larger-than-life as he may be, growing older and settling down just like any one of us: “I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown.” (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 2014) (Why did you do what you’re doing? Why did you do what you did?)

“Commitment is a big part of what I am and what I believe," he reflects. "How committed are you to winning? How committed are you to being a good friend? To being trustworthy? To being successful? To being a good father, a good teammate, a good role model? There’s that moment every morning when you look in the mirror: Are you committed, or are you not?” (MEN’S HEALTH)

As James’ life in the public eye shows no signs of wavering, that dedication to commitment has continued to grow as a priority both on and off the court.

“Once you become a professional athlete or once you do anything well, then you’re automatically a role model,” considers James. “I have no problem being a role model. I love it. I have kids looking up to me and hopefully I inspire these kids to do good things.” (ESPN, 2005)

This year, James returns to the arena, and the limelight, as the head of a team poised to continue their reign as championship contenders for years to come.

"I want to be the greatest of all time. And that's my motivation. It's not simple, but for me it is. That's my mindframe." (BLEACHER REPORT, 2013) (What motivates? What keeps you going?)

THE FIVE Ws

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

What do we usually ask?

Who are you?

Who was your biggest inspiration? (As a reflection of themselves)

What do you do?

             RIGHT NOW: What is the interviewee doing now?

What motivates you?

What’s your biggest challenge?

What’s your favorite thing about what you’re doing?

What’s your biggest strength? Weakness?

Where do you do what you’re doing now?

RIGHT NOW: Where is this interview happening now?

Where did you grow up?

Where did you go to school?

Where did you get your start?

When did you start doing what you’re doing?

            RIGHT NOW: When is this interview happening?

When did you decide this is what you wanted to do?

When did you know?

Why do you do what you’re doing?

Why do you love what you’re doing?

Why is it important?

Why do you keep doing it?