LeBron to open new ‘SNL’ season

Producer Lorne Michaels thinks the Cavaliers star is a natural.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James is treating his appearance on the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” like a fast break.

“I’m going to just wing it,” James said Thursday during a break in rehearsals.

James is practicing this week with his new teammates at “SNL,” where he’ll become the latest in a long line of superstar athletes to host the show.

The 22-year-old’s display of humor in Nike ads where he plays four versions of himself and his performance co-hosting the ESPYs made Lorne Michaels, creator and executive producer of “Saturday Night Live,” believe James would do well on the show.

“You can tell when someone has a sense of humor or a least enough perspective on themselves to able to laugh at stuff,” Michaels said.

James got his lines Wednesday and did a read through of the material Thursday, leading Michaels to believe “The Chosen One” may have another natural gift.

“He’s really good at this stuff,” Michaels said.

James follows in the footsteps of his boyhood idol, NBA legend Michael Jordan, who hosted the season premiere in 1991. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning appeared on the show last season and other stars such as Joe Montana and Wayne Gretzky have had memorable performances.

Fearless athletes

Michaels believes the show has had success with athletes over the last 32 seasons because by nature they’re fearless.

“They’re used to being in front of a large group of people and not knowing how it’s going to turn out,” Michaels said.

James, who says he doesn’t get nervous for big games, is treating the show no differently and said collaborating with the writers and actors has made him feel comfortable with the sketches.

“They make you feel like you’re one of them,” James said.

When James co-hosted the ESPYs along with comedian/talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, he appeared in several skits and danced and sang a version of Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” with rewritten lyrics about his own fame.

He wouldn’t say whether he has another song and dance routine planned for this weekend’s show, which also features hip-hop icon Kanye West.

“I want to make an impression,” James said. “Just go out there and be original and have some fun.”

Last season, James led Cleveland to its first NBA finals. The Cavaliers were swept in four games by the San Antonio Spurs. A high school phenom, he skipped college to become the overall No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, and in four seasons has become one of the league’s marquee players.

James grew up in Akron, just 25 miles away from Cleveland, but he might want to stay in New York a while after the show is over.

A lifelong New York Yankees fan, James took a moment during a Thursday conference call to graciously congratulate the Cleveland Indians on winning the American League Central Division title.

Then he predicted that the Yankees would beat the Indians when the two teams meet in the playoffs.