LeBron James signs books in Cleveland, not contract yet

When James arrived at Borders Books, fans flooded the store's aisles for a view of the reigning league MVP. A long line slithered past shelves of paper backs and best sellers as Clevelanders — and a few out-of-state fans — waited to have James personalize their books.

For a few die-hards, it was a chance to deliver a message to James, who can become a free agent next summer. The Cavaliers offered James a contract extension this summer, but the 24-year-old has not yet signed it, saying he wants to keep his options open for the future, a stance that has some Cleveland fans worried he'll go to another team.

“Don't leave us, man,” one fan said as James scrawled his name.

“I ain't leaving,” James said, smiling.

James was in good spirits as he interacted with people who have closely followed his career since his high school days in Akron. He was genuinely touched by the outpouring of support.

“It's humbling for me,” James said. “I can't ask for more than this.”

John Sadowey and his family made the four-hour drive from South Bend, Ind., just to see James. “His hand is so huge,” said Surf Sadowey, who got a chance to shake hands with his idol.

The Sadoweys can't bear the thought of James playing anywhere but Cleveland.

“He hope he stays around here for quite a while,” said John Sadowey, who took note of James' choice of baseball caps. “It was refreshing to see.”

James will be leaving Cleveland next summer — for Hollywood.

He has agreed to star as himself in a major motion picture, “Fantasy Basketball Camp,” a comedy about a group of friends who go to Las Vegas to take part in James' basketball camp. The project will be produced by Brian Grazer, who also made “A Beautiful Mind,” “Apollo 13” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “Friday Night Lights.”

“It's going to be great, a lot of fun,” James said. “He (Grazer) has an unbelievable track record and we're looking forward to working with him.”

The film is expected to be shot next summer after the NBA season.

James' book, which follows his rise from hoops prodigy to All-Star, is co-authored by Buzz Bissinger, who wrote “Friday Night Lights,” regarded as one of the finest sports books ever published.

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