It helps to know people. And LeBron James knows people — especially at Nike.
So that’s why James was wearing a Browns “Manziel” jersey one day after Johnny Manziel was drafted by Cleveland, a city the basketball star sort of knows.
“I got a good connection at Nike and they take care of me,” James said about getting the jersey so quickly. “We were watching the draft after [Game 2] and after I’d seen he didn’t go to Dallas I figured he’d go to Cleveland at 22. It’s exciting. He’s going to get an opportunity to compete for the starting job.”
And so now Manziel becomes the latest guy anointed to be an eventual savior for the Browns. James insisted Manziel is up for the challenge.
“He’s been in pressure situations for a long time, and it shouldn’t change now just because he’s starting his NFL campaign,” James said. “Johnny’s a football player, he’s a smart kid. He relishes the opportunity to hopefully bring some great moments back to Cleveland as far as the football team so I think it’s a great opportunity for him and he looks forward to the challenge.”
And James feels Johnny Football already has a chip on his shoulder the size of Lake Erie.
“A lot of teams passed up on him but whatever team picked him, he was ready to make an impact and I think he could be really good,” said James, who said he spoke to Manziel a couple times but was not asked for any advice on Cleveland. “He’s ready to get to work.”
Manziel already is a little short of receivers. But what about a certain 6-foot-8, 250-pound guy with speed and great hands? Is he busy for football season?
“Yeah, I am,” James said with a laugh.