After 23 years in the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has had his fair share of unforgettable highlights.
Interestingly, when fielding a question about his ‘Welcome to LA’ moment from his son Bronny James, the 41-year-old didn’t recall a thunderous dunk from his team debut. He didn’t mention the championship that the Lakers were able to capture inside of the NBA Bubble.
Instead, his “super cool” moment took place off of the hardwood.
LeBron James Reveals ‘Super Cool’ Moment Right After Joining the Lakers
“I guess Media Day,” the elder James says.
“You know, coming in here and seeing all the banners, seeing all the trophies, seeing the names and stuff on the walls… That was super cool, you know, to just be part of an organization. Something that you’ve seen for so many years, and obviously you know the history and the legacy of it. So, I would say Media Day.”
Anyone that’s been involved in the event knows that Media Day is akin to the first day of school for NBA players. Although there won’t be any games played, it marks the beginning of the new season, with training camp and the preseason exhibitions taking place soon thereafter.
In 2018, Media Day would have been a particularly momentous occasion for James, who signed a four-year contract with the Lakers that July (after spending the four prior seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers).
James has often been compared to the iconic Michael Jordan and even grew up as a fan of Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. However, James’s deep-seated respect for the Lakers franchise drew him to the organization when he was deciding where he would play after leaving the Cavs for the second time. Legendary basketball players like Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant would influence his decision to take his talents to Hollywood as well.
Consequently, it isn’t hard to imagine James looking around at the 16 championship banners that the Lakers had at the time and being in awe. Indeed, when explaining why he chose to play for L.A., James would say that playing for championships is “what the (Lakers) history is all about.”
Will LeBron James Ride Off Into the Lakers Sunset?
These days, James’ arrival in Los Angeles is discussed far less than what appears to be an eventual departure. Although the four-time NBA MVP is arguably still playing at an All-Star level, the fact remains that he’s on the doorstep of retirement. Furthermore, his contract is expiring next summer. As a result, many are wondering what franchise he’ll be playing for when he decides he’s ready to walk away.
For now, he’s committed to the Lakers, with even his agent Rich Paul stating that there’s nowhere for him to go. Nonetheless, the question remains: Will James ride off into the L.A. sunset?
