The day LeBron James asked about the Catalan independence process

BarcelonaWhen José Manuel Calderón signed for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, he was in for a big surprise. "I already knew a lot about LeBron James, but not as many as I thought. The current situation in Spain at that time was driven by the Catalan Process and the October 1 referendum. You could expect a lot of things from LeBron, but not that he would suddenly ask you during dinner: "Listen, what's going on in Catalonia?"

Calderón recalls in a book he wrote with the help of journalist Quique Peinado (20 years among goddesses, geoPlaneta) his time in the NBA, where he played for fourteen seasons. The story is full of anecdotes that define his relationship with stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol. "The anecdote defines very well who LeBron James is, a guy with many concerns, special. Everyone asks me what LeBron is like, and the best way to define him is as a normal person. And it's not easy because of everything that comes with being LeBron James for so many years. I remember when he started becoming famous, when I was still in high school thinking I was going to be, all that pressure," says Calderón.

"LeBron seemed like a bluff to me, but that view changes when you get to know him. Then you realize the kind of person he really is. He's made of different stuff. He controls everything down to the last millimeter; he knows what he wants and how he wants it," analyzes Calderón, who is currently an advisor to the Cavs.

LeBron James has visited Barcelona several times. In 2011, he took advantage of a sales tour to watch a Barça training session. His photographs with Leo Messi went viral. A few months earlier, the NBA star had bought a stake in Liverpool. "Everyone knows my interests lie with Liverpool, and we haven't yet reached Barça's level, but we want to be among the best, and I hope that with time we can reach their level," explained the player, who took a dip in the Montjuïc Olympic pools.

In 2012, LeBron James returned to Barcelona to play a pair of warm-up games for the London Olympics at the Palau Sant Jordi, against Argentina and the Spanish national team. "Calderón is a very intelligent player. I've played against the Spanish national team many times, and their players have very high IQs. This is what has allowed José to play so many seasons in the NBA with excellent stats. He's an exceptional professional," said James.

With Barça's reserve team.

In 2011, Calderón trained with Barça B while the NBA was shut down due to a lockout. Unlike Pau and Marc Gasol, who worked with the first team, the point guard preferred to work with his trusted physical trainer, Joan Ramon Tarragó. "In the summer, he usually works with me, but since he has his job here now, coming with him was the easiest thing to do. Plus, I can get into a team dynamic," he explained.

Both LeBron and his son Bronny, who now share a team with the Lakers, have been seen a handful of times wearing Barça jerseys. The decision about whether James will stay in Los Angeles or change franchises is one of the big topics of the summer in the NBA. Teams like the Clippers, Mavs, Warriors, and Cavs have expressed interest in his situation, as the 40-year-old player looks for the best scenario to win his fifth championship ring.