On Sunday (Oct. 11), LeBron James won his fourth NBA Championship after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6. The star-player led his team to victory with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
While the Lakers celebrated, James got away from the crowd and reflected on the win with someone special — his mom. Smoking a cigar and laying on the floor, several reporters captured video of the athlete FaceTiming his mother, Gloria.
“I had to leave the locker room; they’re going crazy in there right now. I had to get away,” he said. “I’m calling you. I love you.”
James thanked his mother — who raised him on her own at 16 years old — for always inspiring him.
“You are the reason why I’m able to even do this, Mom. You don’t understand,” he said. “Sixteen years old you bring a little-ass, big-ass head boy into the world.”
“Come on, Mom,” James continued. ”Everything that you had been through — everything that I had seen; there’s nothing that can stop me. This sh*t is nothing compared to the sh*t you had to go through.”
James’ mother could be heard telling her son, “God is good,” to which he replied, “God is great.”
“I hope I continue to make you proud, Mom,” he added. “I am nothing… without you. You’re special. I love you so much.”
With the Lakers’ win, James was also named Finals Most Valuable Player for the fourth time in his career. Additionally, he is now the second-oldest player in NBA history to win the prestigious award, behind the esteemed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James is also the first and only NBA player to be awarded Finals MVP from three different teams.
“It means a lot to represent this franchise,” he told reporters on Sunday. “I wanted to put this franchise back where it belongs. For me to be a part of such a historical franchise is an unbelievable feeling.”
Watch some clips of James FaceTiming his mother below.