Los Angeles Lakers fans perked up this week when they learned that LeBron James will be returning to LA on Christmas Day. Yes, the schedule-making powers that be in the NBA have set up a battle between the Lakers and LeBron's Philadelphia 76ers on December 25th at Crypto.com Arena. It'll be LeBron's first game at the arena as a Sixer after donning the purple and gold for the last eight seasons.
What will LeBron James' reception be like from Lakers fans on Christmas Day?
Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell has predicted that there won't be any "venom" directed at LeBron from Lakers fans on Christmas. While there will surely be a bad apple or two in the stands at the arena looking to ruffle feathers, Trudell is spot-on with his take. There isn't any legitimate reason for Lakers fans to be upset with LeBron to the extent of booing him.
James delivered a championship to the Lakers in 2020, and had he not, the franchise would be going through a 16-year title drought at the moment. Because of the 'ship in 2020 (which happened at the Orlando bubble), LeBron's Lakers tenure can and should be considered a successful one overall.
Even if you take away that title, James helped keep the Lakers brand alive and relevant during his eight years there. He provided basketball and commercial value to the franchise from the moment he joined the Lakers up until the moment he left. There's no reason to view his Lakers career as anything other than additive to the organization.
LeBron didn't leave the Lakers on bad terms
When it came down to LeBron and the Lakers, their separation this summer was more or less a mutual and peaceful one by all accounts. The Lakers were eager to move on from the LeBron Era into the Luka Doncic Era, and it sounds like LeBron was ready for one more new challenge to wrap up his NBA career. From a logistical standpoint, it would be hard to argue that James doesn't have an easier path to the NBA Finals on the 76ers than he would have on the Lakers over the next two seasons. Â
While some fans eyeing low-hanging fruit will want to boo LeBron for "ring chasing", that's not valid. Not when James already delivered a championship to the Lakers and has accomplished virtually everything there is to accomplish as an NBA player, including four championships in total.
LeBron didn't force a trade, cause problems with the organization, or make the Lakers worse. He even showed humility this past season by accepting his third option role and doing whatever the team needed as the playoffs approached.
This is a situation where both sides outgrew each other and went in different directions. That doesn't warrant venom or bad energy for LeBron when he returns to Los Angeles on Christmas. He should be celebrated. And he surely will be, knowing that Lakers fans are among the most knowledgeable and reasonable basketball fans on the planet.
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