NEW YORK — Whether it's basketball arenas or movie theaters, LeBron James knows how to pack a house.
The reigning NBA MVP and Nike pitchman hosted a Manhattan screening on Tuesday night at the School of Visual Arts for his upcoming documentary "More Than a Game," directed by newcomer Kristopher Belman. James, former Roc-A-Fella rapper Neef Buck and ESPN writer Chris Broussard were among the many in attendance that were buzzing to watch the film, which is set to be released October 2 in theaters. The doc features the story of James and his childhood friends — through first-person accounts and vintage video — as they transform from an upstart AAU team into the national high school hoops champs four years later.
The Cleveland Cavaliers franchise player admits that for many, he's the big draw on the marquee, but when it comes to the project, he said top billing should go to Dru Joyce II, the coach of Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball team.
"Our coach, mentor [and] father figure is the biggest star of the movie," James explained to MTV News. "I may draw the people in, I may draw the people out of their cars, out of their houses to get into the movie theater, but Coach Dru is the main star of the whole movie. 'Cause he set us up for more than just basketball, he set us up for more than a game. It was about life."
The project began as a school project for Belman that turned into a much bigger challenge once he realized the backstories that connected the "Fab Five," James and three other childhood friends who were later joined by another teammate to pursue the national championship.
"It takes time to do things right, and I thought this story needed to be done and it needed to be told the right way," Belman said. "It took seven years, [but] if it took 15 years, it needed to be done."
James was later joined by Mary J. Blige, Akon, DJ Clue, Donnie Klang and Teyana Taylor at Marquee for the afterparty with DJ M.O.S. The fete served double duty as it was also the album-release party for the "More Than a Game" soundtrack, hosted by Interscope Records. The album includes the monster track "Forever," featuring Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem.
The basketball superstar took a few questions from the audience following the screening. He was sporting a blue Yankees fitted hat and a diamond-encrusted Roc-A-Fella pendant on his necklace, a nod to his friendship with Jay-Z. When the 2010 free agent was asked if he was enjoying his time in the Big Apple, he responded yet before quickly being asked if he imagined himself living in New York, a subtle inquiry about his rumored union with the Knicks next year.
"Maybe," he said to laughter.
Check out everything we've got on "More Than a Game."
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