LeBron James the celebrity

7/8/2010

One man has managed to use up more ink than Lindsay Lohan’s nails, Mel Gibson’s rants and The Bachelor’s breakups: LeBron James.

The NBA’s hottest (better said: most hyped) free agent sure took his sweeeeeet time making up his mind about where he’ll lay his, um, hightops. And we’re seriously happy it’s with the Miami Heat. OK, we don’t want to be too greedy - the team already nabbed Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh - but the Magic City can use someone with Shaq-esque star power. This guy’s got that to spare. The erstwhile Cleveland Cavalier, 25, is known just as much for his off court activities.

LeBron is a fun, provocative, I-like-to-push-your-buttons kinda dude.

In 2007, the fame seeker hit Saturday Night Live. Among his highlights: camping it up in an ‘80s wig and a gold metallic suit as a Solid Gold dancer. For a guy with no acting background it was pretty funny stuff. We like.

In 2008, James managed to ruffle a few sensitive feathers when he posed along with supermodel Gisele on the cover of Vogue. The shot made history as the first time the tony monthly had featured a black man on the cover (what happened to Andre Leon Talley? - but that’s another story).  Critics likened Annie Leibovitz’s image to King Kong and Fay Wray. But hey, it got people talking  - and he was well aware.

“Everything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way," James said at the time. "Who cares what anyone says?"

A year later the buff basketball player shot a video for the Drake song Forever  - featured on the  the soundtrack to LB's documentary More Than A Game at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. He also suited up in GQ - the guy cleans up nice. On his terms.

Speaking of terms, James took a $30 million paycut (the Cavs have offered him a six-year, $128 million contract, while Miami signed him to a five-year deal worth $99 million).

Still, his momma didn’t raise no fool - King James is in the prime of his life - perfect for our crazy town. UsWeekly has  him already renting out six cabanas at the W Hotel South Beach this weekend to celebrate. Do they even have cabanas in Cleveland?

Though the Akron, Ohio, native likely won’t live on the wild side on the beach - rumors place him househunting tree lined mansions in low key Coral Gables. Granted, he does have a girlfriend - has for a while. Savannah Brinson is also the mother of his two sons, 3-year-old Bryce and 5-year-old Lebron Jr. That may keep him in check (or not, see Shaq’s history).

One concession he may have to make - take off the Yankees cap, dude. You’re in Marlins country now.

Welcome him to town yourself: James just joined Twitter @KingJames.