The LeBron James era is coming to an end for the Los Angeles Lakers. After first signing with the franchise in 2018, the four-time NBA champion spent nearly a decade with the team, the longest continuous stint with a single team of his legendary career.
However, even after countless memories with the organization, a lot of the fan base seems extremely happy about his departure. Another franchise icon was quick to point out those people, explaining the rationale behind their thinking.
Los Angeles Lakers Fans Remain Ungrateful for LeBron James
The impact James had on the Lakers is undeniable. In the five years before he joined the team, LA had the worst record in the entire NBA, missing the playoffs in each of those seasons. But, within two years of his arrival, the franchise was raising its 17th banner.
On an individual level, too, the four-time MVP was sensational, despite starting his tenure on the team at 33. Averaging 25.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, he suited up at all five positions for the team during his eight seasons.
Leading them to a championship and another Conference Finals appearance, he earned an All-Star nod each year and an All-NBA selection in all but his final year with the franchise. Still, a portion of the fan base remained alienated from the King.
Whether it was the rivalry with Kobe Bryant, a fan favorite for the city, before his arrival, or an unwillingness to embrace him, James did not resonate with the franchise in the same way as he had at his previous stops.
Speaking on “Yahoo Sports Daily,” Derek Fisher, who won five championships with the Lakers, spoke about the dissonance between the athlete on the court and the fans in attendance.
“A lot of people in LA didn’t love LeBron’s time here, and it’s been confusing to me, the reaction to him deciding not to return to LA. A lot of people have celebrated it, and almost had a parade as though this is the greatest thing ever. I’m not saying this is Doomsday for the Lakers by any means. I think the organization will be fine.”
However, he could not shake the surprise at the fans’ reaction. “I’m surprised at some of the reactions for sure. I think people have moved on.” But he did explain why James wasn’t as beloved as other players who wore the purple and gold.
“If you think about the greats of the Lakers’ past, many of those guys were born and raised as Lakers for the most part. You think about James Worthy, number one draft pick, you think about Magic Johnson.” However, as with a lot of hate angled towards James from the Lakers fan base, his argument died there.
“Even though Kareem, formerly Lew Alcindor, was traded to LA, he spent a considerable amount of time in Los Angeles and really felt like a piece of the fabric of LA. Even Shaq, eight years here. It’s as though people forgot he played in Orlando as well. But it’s the years here in LA that changed everything.”
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Then, he brought up the crux of the issue for a lot of Los Angeles. “I think other stars felt like they became who they were as Lakers, and I think a lot of Lakers fans had a difficult time accepting the fact that LeBron was already LeBron before he got here.”
While the rationale and arguments have ranged from comical to bizarre, the reality is that James wasn’t embraced wholeheartedly by the city. Now, as he moves to what might be his final stop in the NBA, he holds all the cards to his future.
