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Two days early, LeBron celebrates 21st in style

Cavs star throws birthday bash with 1,000 friends at Cleveland club

Image: LeBronAP
LeBron James held a birthday party for 1,000 people at the Cleveland House of Blues on Wednesday night. Tickets for the party ranged from $50 to $300, with parts of the proceeds going to charity.

CLEVELAND - A few days before he officially turns 21, LeBron James was thrown a glamorous birthday party.

The Cavaliers’ All-Star forward celebrated Wednesday with family, friends, fans, teammates and VIPs at downtown’s House of Blues — not far from where James lights up Quicken Loans Arena on a regular basis.

Wearing a white suit, James arrived about 8:30 p.m. in his black Rolls Royce before going inside to host a private dinner for 65 people in the club’s exclusive Foundation Room. Then, it was downstairs to party with 1,000 people.

Tickets for the party ranged from $50 to $300 with parts of the proceeds going to charity.

After practice Wednesday, James said he hoped partygoers wouldn’t try to pass off Christmas gifts as his birthday present.

“I hope I get gifts,” he said with a smile. “I hope a lot of people bring me nice gifts for my birthday.”

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, who attended the party, said his wife was at a loss for what to buy for the NBA superstar who presumably has everything.

“She said, ‘What do you get LeBron?”’ Brown said. “I said, ‘I don’t know, babe. You can figure it out.”’

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In less than three seasons in the NBA, James, who jumped straight from high school to the pros, has established himself as one of the league’s premier players. In addition to rewriting the record book for players under 21, James has resurrected the Cavaliers, who were one of the league’s worst franchises before his arrival.

James’ birthday is Dec. 30, a date he shares with golfer Tiger Woods, who like James had a rapid rise to superstardom.

This season, James is averaging 30.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the Cavaliers, who are off until Saturday when they face the Detroit Pistons.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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