Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James seems to have had a very lasting effect on Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell very early in life.

In an interview with Bleacher Report, Russell game some insight into why he wanted to become an NBA player, his dietary changes, and where the saying “ice in my veins” came from.

But possibly the most striking comment came from a memory he had of James.

“I saw LeBron play against the Pacers,” Russell said. “And I remember him dunking the ball and almost cried. And I was like, ‘Man.' I knew a that point, that's where I wanted to be.”

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It's a telling memory for Russell, who at times plays with the confidence of being the best player on the basketball court, no matter who else is in the game at that particular time.

Many NBA players have memories of watching the greats of today while growing up, and it's safe to say a great deal of the young players have various memories of James.

It's also safe to guess that many of those memories probably almost brought them to tears as well. James has made so many great plays in his career that if one hasn't brought a budding basketball to years yet, something is wrong.

See Russell's full interview below.