In this town, Posey has his backers

"I got pictures with him. He sends [the kids] tickets when he comes to town. I got mixed emotions now. I'm a Cleveland fan. I've been a Boston hater all my life. But it takes Mikely to make me a Boston fan," said Buddy King, who coached the young Posey at the center.

James Mikely Mantell Posey Jr. was born Jan. 13, 1977, in Cleveland to James Posey Sr. and Rosetta Moore. During his youth, his parents never lived together and he split time living with both. Moore lived in the heart of the inner city while Posey Sr. lived in the suburb of Shaker Heights before moving to Twinsburg, another suburb.

To find positive things to do when staying with his mother, James Posey often went to the Central Recreation Center. It was nicknamed the Bath House because when the building opened in 1919 it was named the Central Avenue Baths, where people living without plumbing in the nearby projects could take a shower or bath. It eventually was converted into a recreation center by the parks and recreation department, where all sports and activities are free.

"The rec center gave an opportunity for us to play all sports like soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball," Posey said. "That's what we had in our little 'hood right there. That's where it all started.

"We didn't have to pay. It kept a lot of us out of trouble. We'd go to the Bath House and play basketball all day. We'd go on [field] trips and things like that. It was great for me."

When he was with his dad in the suburbs, everyone called him James. But at the Bath House he went by Mikely.

"People call me Mikely in Cleveland," Posey said. "When people call me that, I know where they know me from."

Bobcats guard Earl Boykins, a Cleveland native and longtime friend of Posey's, said, "I remember when he was in high school they said, 'There is a guy that is good and he says he knows you. He said his name is James Posey.' And then when I saw him I said, 'That's Mikely. I didn't know him as James.' "

King first noticed Posey at the rec center when Posey was about 11 years old. While Posey was taller than most of the kids his age and a great athlete, it was his respectful demeanor that stood out to King.