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New Lakers signing declares LeBron James as the greatest of all time

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 12: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a preseason basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The debate around who is the greatest of all time in NBA history is a fierce one typically around two men: Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. James has been chasing Jordan’s legacy ever since he got into the league and it is undeniable that he is at least in the same echelon as Jordan.

However, many people still consider MJ to be the greatest. He has more rings on his finger and he had a chokehold over the league in the 90s that LeBron never fully had. Some point to LeBron’s teammates ignoring the fact that Jordan had one of the 40-best players of all time as his teammate for every championship, but that is neither here nor there.

Younger people who did not get to see MJ play as well as NBA players who have actually played alongside LeBron James typically seem to favor him in the GOAT debate. This includes LeBron’s newest teammate and latest Lakers signing, Juan Toscano-Anderson.

Toscano-Anderson went from sharing the court with a top-10 player in Stephen Curry to sharing the court with the player he calls the best to ever play the game. He has been spoiled in his young career.

LeBron James needs to be the greatest teammate of all time to the newest Lakers teammates.

While LeBron James is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats and elevates players on the basketball floor, he has also had a tendency to not be the greatest teammate at times, subtly throwing shade at his teammates.

This year has to be different if the Lakers want any kind of chance of contending for a championship. Los Angeles has only brought in players under the age of 30 and several of them need more development and are raw as NBA talent.

That is what you get when you can only sign minimum contracts. At least with the young players, unlike the old veterans, there is potential for them to reach a new level with the Lakers. Just like he did with Malik Monk, LeBron needs to take these young players under his wing and prove he can be the greatest teammate of all time as well.

His job will be even tougher if Kyrie Irving joins the fold. While the roster will get better and the title chances will get higher, LeBron will also have to mend that relationship as well as keep Irving and his personality focused and at bay.

Hopefully, the other players that the Lakers signed this offseason have the same admiration for LeBron and can turn that admiration into winning basketball.