LeBron James Credits Ric 'The Nature Boy' Flair for Creating 'Swag' Thanks to Rolexes, Stretch Limos

LeBron James, like many kids who grew up in the 1980s and 90s, was and is a big fan of wrestling. So when WWF (and WWE) alumnus Ric Flair showed up to watch the Heat take on the Bobcats in Charlotte on Wednesday, The Chosen One knew he couldn’t disappoint The Nature Boy.

James poured in 27 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out eight assists, as Miami handed a hapless Charlotte team its 16th straight loss. Afterwards, the King paid homage to Flair in crediting the wrestler for the style that so many stars today love to show off.

“When I was a kid, I loved wrestling,” James said. “[Flair] was one of the guys I loved, too. I think he’s one of the creators of what we call ‘swag’ these days with the Rolexes and the stretch limos and all the girls and all that stuff. He’s one of the creators of ‘swag.’ ”

While there were no stretch limos to be found in the arena last night, James and the Heat have had no shortage of swagger with the way they’ve been playing this season. LeBron has scored 20-plus points in all 26 contests this season, and certainly has earned the right to talk the “swag” talk with the way he’s been walking the walk (or, more simply, playing the game).

Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in their 20s who won’t up their game to the next level whenever The Nature Boy strolls in and gives the place an extra jolt of energy.

Woo!

Thumbnail photo via YouTube/KingFlair2011