Los Angeles Lakers should embrace the possibility of landing LeBron James
LeBron James’ attempts at successfully winning championships in Cleveland will probably end at one. His future attempts may come with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sports fanatics and experts measure greatness by certain criteria, but most of all, rings. When LeBron James left the Cavs in 2010 for Miami, a ring was the only thing eluding him throughout his seven years in the NBA. Taking his talents to South Beach, LeBron did what most people do when they head down to Miami. He got “his.”
Miami, to LeBron, was ultimately a sexy fling in that scantily clad bikini, and got what he wanted out of that relationship. Cleveland, to LeBron, was undoubtedly his high school sweetheart (no disrespect, Savannah). Miami eventually turned out to be a four-year fling for James, and knowing the Heat wasn’t the long-term plan, LeBron understood that most flings must come to an end.
While achieving two rings in four years, James made another decision that placed him back in Cleveland, seeking to “win one of the land” and again breaking bread with owner, Dan Gilbert. His “Return of the King” moment had been fulfilled, and after leaving his South Beach fling behind, Lebron made it to three straight NBA Finals with Cleveland, or what some may say —his “wifey”.
For Cleveland, the 2016-17 regular season had been rocky, yet most understand the difficulty of getting to the Finals, let alone making it to three straight. On the verge of losing another NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors, the comparisons between Jordan and LeBron that once seemed right at the edge of a legit argument has lost its luster, especially with the potential of being swept in another NBA Finals. LeBron cannot continue to shoulder the load year after year, and with the mileage he has logged in, there’s only so much tread left on those tires.
Upon his return, James essentially became the de facto general manager of the Cavaliers. He demanded for Kevin Love and for both J.R. Smith and Tristin Thompson to get paid. He also asked for Kyle Korver, got him, but still wanted more. So they added Deron Williams. And after all of that, LeBron and the Cavs still find themselves down 0-3 at the hands of what may be the beginning of the greatest dynasty the NBA has ever seen.
After all the strings pulled by Dan Gilbert, it’s hard to find LeBron being steadily content. If James could, he would demand Gilbert to somehow summon the talents, in their primes, of Robert Horry, Steve Kerr, and Derek Fisher. And then Scottie Pippen. And James Worthy. Basically a list of all-time greats amongst all-time great role players. If Gilbert did deliver on those requests, LeBron would still manage to complain if their contributions weren’t enough.
It was pure delusion for Gilbert to expect the acquisitions he has made were enough to heal bad blood with LeBron. James is still the best player in the league, yet regarded to have diva-like characteristics. If LeBron is planning to continue his chase to becoming the “G.O.A.T.”, another shake-up of the Cavaliers roster will need to happen.
If Dan Gilbert doesn’t make any impactful additions to Cleveland’s roster, there is a chance, albeit slim, that Lebron opts out and heads straight in the Warriors direction for a spot in the Western Conference.
In comes the Lakers.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Potential Diva in Hollywood
Since Magic Johnson took control of basketball operations, he has reiterated his quest to making the Lakers a championship contender. The attention surrounding free agency for the Lakers revolves around players like Paul George or Jimmy Butler, but in the 2018 offseason there will plenty of available free agents, which may include Russell Westbrook and LeBron James.
Although a long shot, for the rumor of Lebron coming out West to become a reality, the Lakers will need major roster tweaking, on top of contracts needing to be unloaded.
Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer believes that this era of Lebron’s time in Cleveland could be over, and could lead straight to LA:
"“The Lakers make sense if LeBron wants to build a sustainable winner with a core blend of veterans and youthful talent like Paul George — if, as NBA gossip suggests, George truly is “hell-bent” on going to L.A. — and Brandon Ingram.”"
There isn’t enough cap room to offer Paul George a max contract on top of signing Lebron to a monster deal, nor would George take a pay cut without knowing for sure that James was even headed to L.A.
The results of the 2017-18 season is still unknown, but with the Lakers not pursuing any free agents this summer, many should expect to see another year of development, as the team enters what might be the most exciting offseason of free agency since 2010.
The major event in the summer of 2010? LeBron James’ launched his pilot episode of a failed epic called “The Decision.”
It’s a doughy stretch to say this current group of Lakers will be a splitting image of the Golden State Warriors in the years to come. With a developing core, which includes an unknown, yet interesting potential in Brandon Ingram, a probable draft pick in Lonzo Ball, the addition of LeBron James would be franchise-shifting to say the least.
Moving himself in the same conference as the Warriors may seem ill advised, but like LeBron’s departure from Miami to Cleveland, a change of scenery will certainly bring new energy to the four-time MVP. The Lakers are historically known for acquiring the best player in the league through free agency, and If L.A. becomes competitive, look for a potential Warriors-Lakers rivalry to develop that can mimic the heated battles between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings of the early ’00s.
Aside from basketball, a potential move to Los Angeles makes decent sense for LeBron. He has a home in Los Angeles, the second biggest market in the nation, and home to Hollywood, something James has previously dabbled in. Lebron put aside his basketball talents to utilize his acting chops, and made his silver-screen debut in the 2014 film, “Trainwreck”.
Theres arguably no better place to grow a brand than in Los Angeles, and with hopes of becoming a global icon, James can follow in the footsteps of Kobe Bryant, and see Tinseltown as a nesting spot to develop business, post NBA. James obviously could market himself anywhere and be successful, evidence based on currently playing for a city with its economy seeming built on his success. LeBron’s long time friend and manager Maverick Carter will have more access and resources to continue building their empire in the “land” — LA LA Land that is.
Next: Who are the 50 greatest Lakers of all-time?
This land is your land, This land is my land
Los Angeles is and will forever be a Kobe-town even though the “Mamba” has been retired for two years. Much of the hate and flack LeBron has been receiving from Kobe defenders stems from the notion that claims he is much closer to Jordan then Kobe was. This is something Lakers/Kobe fans are extremely protective over, the same way that Jordan disciples scoff at the idea that Kobe is even in the conversation.
The comparison between LeBron and Jordan does not sit well with most. People will claim a certain type of greatness for players who stay with one team for their entire career, and because of this, see it as a slight to James’ legacy.
His return back to Cleveland didn’t earn him loyalty points, nor did it mend the wounds of the first departure, but more so fit his Hollywood script perfectly. Lebron lost his shot at loyalty, but for the championship he delivered, the “land” will forever be indebted to him. His goal was to “win one for the land.”
One, and nothing more.
Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer, documented excerpts from LeBron’s post game conference after game 3, with some of James’ answers leaving a clout of uncertainty regarding his remaining tenure as a Cavalier:
"“I don’t feel good right now, but I feel pretty good where my game is right now. But I don’t know. I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it, how long I want to stay around. I definitely want to compete. I want to compete for championships every year, and so we’ll see what happens.”"
Leaving once had set the precedent for his future. It makes it easier for him to jump ship for another ‘chip. Because that’s of course how people measure greatness. A recent NBA commercial plugging the NBA Finals has Julius Irving saying “all that elegance, all that style — none of it really matters if you don’t win. Because when its over, you either have a ring or you dont.”
Lakers fans will dismiss the idea of LeBron squadding up with Luke Walton and company, with some calling it blasphemy. But if LeBron opts out of his contract in 2018, and is seen at an introductory press conference holding up a purple and gold jersey with his name on the back, one can expect the same Laker fans whom might have dismissed the idea, unwillingly receive him with arms slightly open.
If thats hard to believe, just ask Cleveland fans who once renounced their “king”, and welcomed him back 5 years later. Because of him, they’re witnesses of their first championship, 55 years in the making.
The potential for James becoming a Laker is a long shot, but cannot be ruled out. If LeBron can be welcomed back to a city who once infamously burned his jersey, then best believe Laker nation will have no choice but to give him a chance.
Why not. He’s not trying to be loyal. He’s just trying to get his.
And Laker fans are just trying to witness banner 17.