LeBron James vs. Kawhi Leonard: Who is the king of Los Angeles?

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 14, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 14, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LeBron James
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Jerry West sends shock waves across the hall.

Jerry West is an NBA legend. It’s hard to figure out what he was better at doing. Playing the game or building NBA teams.

I know, for now, Jerry West is happy with his job and his employer. He said as much on the Rich Eisen show.

"Steve Ballmer has really put together an unbelievably terrific organization. He’s spared no expense. It’s a really fun place to be. There’s not ego-driven at all. It’s just a fun place to be, and he’s got an awful lot of basketball people over there. He’s just a great owner and one of the nicest men I’ve ever been around in my life. I’ve never seen a person like this with his success. It’s just remarkable how even-keeled he is. If people knew how philanthropic he was. He keeps all that stuff quiet. I guess he’ll get mad at me for mentioning it. But he’s just a remarkable man himself. People always ask me what he’s like. And I say he’s just like you and I, normal. I’ve never seen – he’s willing to spend on players. He’s willing to spend on personnel within the front office. And as I mentioned before, I’ve never been around any organization that is better than this one. That’s for sure."

After pulling off a deal that should have had Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” music in the background, he follows that up with a quote that tweaked the Lakers fanbase. I mean he did work for the Lakers as General Manager for 18 years bringing in five titles.

Maybe he still remembers being passed over back in 2017 being brought back into the fold. No matter what, it brings more drama to a rivalry that will drive the NBA next season. But this situation does kind of shine the light on the most overlooked part of this rivalry.

He broke down how things played on Jorge Sedano’s show recently. It lays out how efficiently that front office is run.