10 Questions for LeBron James

By Sean Gregory

Is co-hosting the ESPYs more nerve-racking than suiting up for Game 1 of the NBA finals? Richard Beckett, ST. GEORGE, UTAH

Yes, I will be more nervous hosting the ESPYs. I've played basketball my whole life, but this is the first time I'm hosting something. So it's going to be new for me.

Could you give me some advice on what to do if I am nervous before games? Guy Riesenberg, RA'ANANA, ISRAEL

I listen to music to try to calm down and just get into my comfort zone. I listen to a lot of Jay-Z before the games. I'm not nervous because I'm afraid. I'm nervous because I'm excited.

Do you feel that athletes are overly celebrated in American society, particularly by young people? Diana Zborovsky, NEW YORK CITY

I'm not sure. As athletes, we work hard for what we get. But at the same time, we should work even harder to lay down the stones so that it's much easier for the youth coming up. I think I've done that just by being myself on and off the court. I've just continued to be myself. Maybe I've gotten a little stronger and a little taller, but I haven't changed one bit.

You need to improve your midrange game. With that advantage, you'd be unstoppable. What do you think about that? Shimon Elgar, JERUSALEM

Well, I think you're absolutely correct. That's exactly what I'm going to work on this off-season, and the off-season is when you get better.

Why didn't you sign your teammate Ira Newble's petition protesting China's involvement in Darfur? Jonathan Braus, NEW YORK CITY

When the petition was going out, I didn't have enough information on the situation. Now I'm trying to read up on things.

What is your greatest fear? Nick Vincent, EAST WINDSOR, N.J.

Oh, man, I really never thought about it. My greatest fear is probably myself. Can I continue to push myself to bigger heights? With everyone counting on me, it is all about, Can I push myself to be better?

After scoring 48 points against Detroit in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, how badly did your back hurt? Carrying an entire team on your back had to be painful. Pete Frayser, MEMPHIS, TENN.

It really didn't hurt. I haven't sat down and dissected that game yet, but I've heard conversations. Almost everyone I talk to remembers that game, so I am guessing it was a great performance.

If you were the NBA commissioner, what would you do to provide a better support system, especially for the younger players? Jesse Rosenfeld, NEW YORK CITY

Well, I guess that's why I'm not the commissioner. [Laughs.] When you get into the NBA, you are a man. You have to be accountable. You should not have to rely on anyone else. You control what goes on in your life, and you can't blame anyone else when you get in trouble.

Why do you have your childhood friends manage your career rather than a professional agency? Justin Edelstein, NEW YORK CITY

When it comes to making business decisions, you want to be surrounded by people you can trust. My mom always said to trust your gut, and my ship is definitely going in the right direction now.

Who is your favorite athlete in any professional sport today? Joseph Siano, NEW YORK CITY

My favorite professional athlete in sport today? That's a great question. I enjoy watching [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady a lot. With him coming out of college and being an underdog--no one giving him a chance--what he has become as a professional athlete has exceeded expectations and more. And with him, it's definitely all about the fourth quarter.

For more from James and to subscribe to the 10 Questions podcast on iTunes, go to time.com/10questions