Cleveland Cavalier royalty LeBron James enlisted the help of comedians Cedric The Entertainer, Mo’Nique, Ralphie May, Paul Rodriguez and Alex Thomas to roast him at the James Family Foundation’s A Toast to the King at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center.

Many of them had never met James before and relied on media outlets, including Cleveland Magazine, for some insight into the world of LeBron. “I know all about him,” said Mo’Nique. “He’s the most interesting person on the planet.”

James walked the red carpet with his mother, Gloria, and his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, trying to prepare for the embarrassment that was to follow. “I’m not a guy who can take jokes,” he said. “But I will try to take them tonight.”

Some wouldn’t even let LeBron get inside before the wisecracks started. “I’m surprised he’s here,” said May. “It’s been 26 minutes since he made his last commercial.”

 

Teammates Damon Jones, David Wesley, Ira Newble and Eric Snow along with general manager Danny Ferry were on hand to offer additional heckling. “His favorite song is ‘Maniac’ [from the movie ‘Flashdance’],” said teammate Donyell Marshall. “He’s always in the shower singing it.”

 

The event raised more than $100,000 for the James Family Foundation and Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Cleveland.