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LeBron's right-hand man mentoring Johnny Manziel

LeBron James gave Cleveland a chance to celebrate last night, leading the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals with a cruise-control win over the Hawks.

But he’s providing another assist for the city’s football team as well.

As Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel tries to re-establish his career and life after a disastrous rookie year and stint in rehab, he’s enlisted the help of James’ consigliere, Maverick Carter.

He’s taken a big responsibility in making sure that Johnny’s doing all the right things,” Browns safety Donte Whitner said of Carter, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “[Manziel] has a mentor, somebody to talk to, certain things that he really didn’t have the ability [to do] or somebody to talk to before. It looks like it’s working out so far.”

Carter has been James’ longtime business partner/right-hand man, and given the close relationship between the two Cleveland celebrities, the link makes sense. Carter’s marketing firm LRMR represents Manziel, but the relationship runs deeper than that..

The two have been seen sitting court-side at Cavaliers playoff games, and spending time off the court with James, who has managed to become a global superstar without hitting the same potholes Manziel has.

Browns safety Donte Whitner revealed Tuesday that LeBron James' righthand man and business partner Maverick Carter has taken the lead in helping Johnny Manziel stay on the straight and narrow.
Browns safety Donte Whitner revealed Tuesday that LeBron James' righthand man and business partner Maverick Carter has taken the lead in helping Johnny Manziel stay on the straight and narrow.

Between Carter and Browns teammates Whitner and Joe Haden, there’s a support structure around Manziel now.

“We don’t really have to say anything,” Whitner said. “He’s been doing that any way. I remember last [year] they made a big fuss about Johnny being in Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend. Johnny was here in Cleveland for Memorial day weekend this year. So that’s another step that he’s taken.

“He understands that you can’t be in Vegas or Miami or any of these other places, you have to be here. If you have to come in a day or two extra for an hour or two per day, that’s what quarterbacks do. And no matter if you like it, you have to be here.”

Carter’s marketing firm LRMR was apparently the mastermind behind Manziel's Pro Day circus-like extravanganza back in March 2014. That memorable day included a former president and first lady, their two dogs, a Drake soundtrack and a quarterback doning camouflage shorts and a black Nike jersey with his white No. 2.

Time and actions are what will fix things for Manziel now, but the fact he has a network in place to help him’s a solid step in that direction.

 - Pro Football Talk, NBC Sports