One of the biggest non-Laker Lakers topics this season is, of course, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James. He’s all but sure to decline the Player Option in his contract once this season ends, which would make him a free agent by July 1st.
It’s worth noting that this is just LeBron the Businessman making the most out of his options from a business standpoint and doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving the Cavs for the second time (he could sign a new contract with them).
But LeBron bolting for another team is still a possibility (and with the recent turmoil within the Cavs’ organization, the probability just rose) — one that has already sent the other 29 teams buzzing.
The Los Angeles Lakers are regarded as one of the major players in landing LeBron’s services come the Summer of 2018 and management has made no secret of its desire for this happen. The Lakers have been trying to shed salary (via trades) to free up cap space in order to sign LeBron… and maybe one other LA-native superstar who’s set to become a free agent in 2018 as well *wink wink*.
LeBron James is the best basketball player in the planet and to have him on your team is obviously a very, very good thing. But oddly, some Lakers fans don’t want him to wear the Purple and Gold.
If you’re one of those fans, I have a question: Why???
From a basketball perspective, there is no reason to not want LeBron James. In 50 games so far during 2017-2018 NBA season, he is averaging 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, on 54.5% FG shooting. LeBron also has a 27.7 Player Efficiency Rating (PER), and True Shooting Percentage (TS%) of 62.3% At age 32. All that is fancy basketball talk for “Man, he is still crazy good”.*
Fit is not an issue for LeBron because his skill-set is not one-dimensional where you have to figure out how he complements his teammates. His all-around skills is what you build around, obviously. It’s also well-documented that LeBron is a terrific teammate, always looking to set others up for scoring opportunities if needed.
The most common argument that I’ve read from Lakers fans not wanting LeBron is that signing him would be a “desperate move” and not a good look for the team. To that, I ask “are these not desperate times?“
The Lakers haven’t been in the playoffs since 2013. Five years of mediocrity is such a long time for a franchise so accustomed to winning. Now comes an opportunity to sign probably the greatest baller of all time (dont @ me!!!), whose basketball talents are almost always enough to turn things around, whose presence is enough to lure other high-caliber players into playing for whatever team he’s in, and yet fans have an aversion for him.
Some mention his age is a major turnoff. For mere mortals, 32 is indeed old in basketball age. But LeBron is no mere mortal and as I’ve mentioned earlier, he’s still racking up crazy numbers at an age where most players see a steep decline in their skills and athleticism, and by extension, their stats. Right now, I see no reason to believe he’s going to make huge steps backwards in the forseeable future.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that he could suffer a career-altering injury (like what happened to Kobe in 2013), but LeBron has been known to take care of his body, so I wouldn’t worry too much about this.
I suppose the LeBron hate stems from the fragile egos of Kobe stans who can’t stand having a Kobe “rival” (in truth there hasn’t been enough Kobe-LeBron duels to even consider calling it a rivalry) become the face of the franchise.
Look, we can all agree Kobe and LeBron are both generational talents who have achieved a lot. The reality is that people are scared that the Hero of Los Angeles and the villain of 28 other cities will be forgotten once the King sets up shop in Tinsel Town. But it’s actually possible to like both of them. Really, it doesn’t have to be “one or the other”.
I worship Kobe Bryant as much as the next guy. I even wrote a lengthy emo Facebook post when he retired. But the success of the team comes first. Always. If signing a player perceived to be Kobe’s “rival” means five more championships for the Lakers in the next decade, I would have zero problems with it. You shouldn’t, too.
Other fans dislike LeBron because he “took the easy way out” by joining other star players to win a championship because he “can’t win by himself”. Okay, name me a modern championship team that won it all thanks to the feat of one man.
This isn’t your 1950s NBA game where the court is shared by Bill Russell and nine other garbage players. Much of the success of modern teams hinge on role players complementing superstars. Obviously having more than one superstar makes things easier and the stars themselves know this. Hard to blame them for wanting to ~team~ up.
Still, some point out constant flopping, whining, complaining, pettiness, etc. as reasons for not wanting LeBron to come to the Lakers. Those things accurately describe him, and I wish he’d tone them down (except the pettiness, petty LeBron is great sports entertainment).
But if those are all the points you have for opposing a great basketball talent from playing for your basketball team, then get your stupid ass out of here. You are just being nitpick-y.
I am in no way a LeBron apologist, and am not overtly optimistic he signs with the Lakers this summer. But I am tired of people immediately dismissing the notion of him playing for the Purple and Gold because reasons.
I agree with fans wanting to “organically” grow a championship squad, that is to say the team should focus on developing its promising young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma and building around them for the future.
But if there is even a tiny indication that LeBron wants to play in L.A., I say go all in. I am super tired of watching the Lake Show lose a lot and any and all opportunities to turn the tides should be welcomed by fans of the team. Team success is what every supporter should desire because, individual talent come and go but banners hang forever.
patrickkennan.com 