Last year the Lakers finished 35-47. This year, with LeBron James out injured for 17 games, they are 29-29. That's a significant improvement.
Cleveland, however, has dropped from 50-32 to 13-46.
1
If the refs would do their job, Lenbron wouldn’t be such a spoiled brat on the court. All the turnovers he would be called for surely would require him to play by the rules of the game and he would earn back the respect of his teammates and players around the league (maybe).
1
It might not happen at all because what he's signed up for in Los Angeles is nothing but a big reality show/soap opera.
He should have signed with the Clippers. He doesn’t like Luke Walton and Doc Rivers has won a championship. He doesn’t like the Laker’s talent and is ok with most of their young players being traded away. If he cared about the long term future of the Lakers, he would be patient and advise Anthony Davis or another player to just sign with them when they are a free agent rather than trading away good young players. The Clippers have made tremendous front office moves in the last year to prepare for signing top free agents and they have one of the greatest executives ever working for them in Jerry West. And if LeBron really cared about winning now, he would have taken a sliver of the salary he signed for, thus allowing the Lakers to more easily build a championship team. (See Tom Brady as example 1.)
Somehow the league will find a way to make the Lakers great again so that LBJ can be happy. Just don’t give him any credit.
1
A championship team usually has chemistry. Just adding someone of LeBron's talent isn't going to necessarily make things suddenly work. And he isn't as young as he used to be...
James is still a very good player, but a little less so each year. As his time in Cleveland showed, he is ever more dependent on a supporting cast--including refs and Kiki VanDeWeghe--but his ego is an ever greater impediment to himself. He has already polarized the atmosphere inside the Lakers front office by not-so-subtly undermining Luke Walton, as if the guy who oversaw a historic season by the Warriors doesn't know what he's doing. In fact, it's James who is clueless, and as near as I can tell he has been a vain double-edge since the day he decided to do a tell-all with Jim Grey. Those moments and the present situation in El Lay are what college helps prepare adults to master. Too bad he missed it. The fans mourned the retirements of Magic, Larry, and Michael. I don't think they'll miss LeBron. He's already wearing out his welcome . . . everywhere.
4
@JET I disagree with so much of that comment. That 'decision' interview was regrettable, and he hasn't been able to live it down since. One major misjudgment. He's been under a microscope since high school.
His supporting cast in Miami was better than that in Cleveland, so to say he's relying on them more and more is inaccurate. He's presented himself as a stand up spokesman, never throws cheap fouls, yet takes them all the time.
College doesn't prepare any basketball player for much; most are one and done anyway. Regardless of what happens in LA, he will go down in history as one of the top 10 to play the game.
3
This is actually a rerun of a show that has played before. The Lakers had many years of success and championships with great players, the most recent being with Kobe and Shaq. But eventually there was only Kobe, and he couldn't carry the whole team without supporting star players. As he aged, health problems limited his playing time, and the team headed downward. Now they are repeating that show again with Lebron.
4
time to look @ Magic. Great player with lousy record as coach and Director of Basketball Ops. Dumped DeAngelo, Lou Williams, Clarkson and Lopez for squat. Let Randle go too. Look what years those guys having now.
1
LBJ will never see another NBA final. This is the first season that he hasn't hand picked his supporting cast & coach like he did in Miami & Cleveland. A great player that never had the clutch gene like Jordan or Kobe but will go down as an all time top ten player.
1
Memories of Kobe's last 5 years as a Lakers! LBJ has become one more aging "Super Star" that will not go quietly, but keep dragging the team down!
1
@carl56
The team hasn’t been good in years so it’s not fair to blame LBJ even though it should be questioned why he wanted to be there he could do his movie business when the season is over.
LBJ is used to getting his wAy like Magic Johnson . LBJ decides who should be on the team who the coach should be and is involved in all backdoor deals.
Somehow I thought when you came to the NBA you could play defense and be a team. The Lakers with LBJ and Magic are not a team but high paid individuals who want to buy a championship vs working at it. Magic reminds me of Michael Jordan a terrible manager living off of his basketball days.
The NBA has been painful to watch for a few years which is why the arenas are almost empty outside of a few teams who can actually play the game .Customers want to be part of the experience think of the Celtics not a empty seat eeven if they are not winning it’s a team effort. We have a player who wants to leave and no one is begging him to stay. The team will go on without him.
Maybe LBJ should follow Tom Brady ‘s health program. He just won the Super Bowl again and he plays with an unknown supporting cast year after year. Even at 41 he listens to the coaches and how novel is that.
Good article but give me a break on the headline.
You just cant simplify what makes a championship team- there are too many variables and luck is one of them. Lebron is the GOAT- becuase he brought a championship to Cleveland- after being down 1-3 in the playoffs- against a championship team. Period. I dont know why the Lakers- players/owner/coach/GM cannot get out of their dysfunction to create a championship team. It isnt LBJ's fault- as we all know it takes alot more than a star player
4
LBJ could care less about basketball anymore...he's proclaimed "himself" the GOAT ... ESPN backs him up ... so it's gospel. He cares more about his 2 heavily guarded, gated, walled off compounds and his tv and movie production companies.
He can't save his legacy ... 3 and 6 in finals ... don't take me wrong...9 finals is off the hook!!! But you only won 3 ... for the goat ... not so good.
Wait for the Lakers to sign Kyrie and Unibrow. We'll see what happens first: NBA Championship or LeBron's retirement party.
Not this year! He wants to take a summer off for a change. He knew there was no chance. Not this year. He's going to take in the California sunshine (smoke) and live a little. :)
1
Lebron will never be as good as MJ. MJ was perfect in the finals.
3
LeBron will help the Lakers the day he retires...
2
lebron is a detriment to the league. the nba won't be good again until he's gone.
2
At least the Lakers are trying to be entertaining compared to Spike Lee's Knicks who are just sad and with current ownership in charge of hiring decisions,will go nowhere good for a very long time.
1
The Best make everyone around them better whether it's sports, business, politics or friends.
LeBron brings disruption to every team for the sake of his own ends, leaving a wake of fired coaches, GMs and dismissed players. He spins the narrative his way and the media eats it. Why? Cause he's the talent. But ask former teammates what they think. He's already thrown every Laker under the bus just so he can get another ring.
Well, at least with LBJ on the team, the Lakers have improved 5 wins from this time last year. Hope that was worth $150mil. and all the headaches.
3
I like to know, what was the PLAN during Magic-LB interview?
1
Like MJ, Baylor and Russell, LeBron is one the greatest players ever. But like those players, he would make a terrible GM, as the players he recruited for the Cavs and Lakers added little if any value.
2
This has always been LeBron's problem. Contrary to what all his fans and sportscasters say, he does NOT make other players better basketball players. They play better with him on the floor, when he can lower his shoulder, bowling-ball two players out of the way, draw another towards him, then pass to a teammate for a wide-open three or a layup. But once he's off the floor, those shots aren't there, and they don't know how to create them, not individually and not as a team. So he winds up playing 45 minutes a game and is dead by the playoffs. Every team he's left, Cleveland, Miami, and now Cleveland again, has gone completely in the toilet afterwards. (Whereas the Bulls during Jordan's absence were still a playoff team.) I don't really even blame LeBron. I think his skills are unparalleled. But that's just what happens with him, and the Lakers should have taken that into account.
3
@steve Ha. After claiming that LeBron doesn't make his teammates better you gave a description of his actions that actually define how a player makes his teammates better, by making it easier for them to succeed. Further, former teams collapsing after his departure is evidence of how much he contributed to their success, not the contrary.
5
@Rod
NOO. I said he does not make them "better basketball players." A player becomes a better basketball player when he improves his shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding. defending and screening, and improves his court sense, NO MATTER WHO HE'S PLAYING WITH. Lebron's past teams, as I pointed out, have been horrible once he's left. If he'd made them all better players, they should at least have been competitive--after all, Cleveland has been to the finals four straight time. So IHMO he has not made them "better players." Kevin Durant, for example, is a better defender now, having played with the Warriors. Harrison Barnes was Dallas' leading scorer for awhile after leaving the Warriors. That is what I mean by making a player "better."
2
I'm not saying this article is unfair, but it's focus seems off to me. The Lakers seems capable of beating anyone -- they beat the Warriors, away, after James went down in the third quarter and the youngsters fought to preserve the when, and they beat the Celtics, away, just last week after a blowout loss their previous game. Let's see how they do in the next week, and then, if they don't 'gel,' maybe it's time for an article with a focus this one had, with the onus on James. But not just yet.
2
The early(pre-season?) Lakers were a beautiful blur of speed, activity, confidence and enthusiasm.
My only worry at that time was how LeBron would fit into a team of such characteristics (he is a force of nature, but for a team built on speed and nimbleness, he did not appear the most obvious fit).
The Lakers defense, even then, was horrendous, including in defending 3 pointers in a game I saw against Denver. But the potential appeared unlimited.
Now, instead of growing the confidence and capacity of the numerous young speedsters on the team, it's been all about molding them to LeBron's playing style. That is/was the wrong decision. He is unmatchable, but it is he who needed to adjust to the team to allow it to grow and flower. They went in the opposite direction and disfunction and mental crippling is the consequence. Despite LeBron's many accomplishments, including taking teams who had no place in the finals, to the finals, basketball remains a team game. Magic of all people, one would think would recognize that.
4
@AJ - Great post and very good points. The Warriors still have occasional issues integrating Durant into the offense after 2 yrs. And everyone is pleasantly surprised how hard Cousins is trying to integrate even tho he's only here for the short term. Coach Kerr has been experimenting with various lineups: some work, some don't. Juggling those players into a cohesive unit is perhaps Lakers mgmt/coach issue?
1
I understand LeBron is one man, but the article just mentioned that this season could possibly his first losing season since his rookie year, which was a very very long time ago. LeBron took the Cavaliers to five NBA championships, and the Cavaliers were a bottom of the barrel team before LeBron returned. So it's very hard for me to believe that the Lakers are the worst team in California
Senor Efraín Ramírez -Torres, I agree. NBA chose to not legiteamally enforce it's foul rules. Why can't we as fans call fouls on refs? If players and teams need to accept inept calls, do we as fans have no say? Upon review of fouls by people outside the NBA union need to determine whether refs are non-biased and capable. Without accountability, like others have said in this thread, the NBA is a show and not a fair competitive game. Please, give us basketball back to when the true record players played under the rules of the game. Please no more traveling around the court without a call. Please penalize lane violations on free throw shots. Please enforce three second rules for defence in the paint not guarding anyone. And, why can't you techinical people that complain when your calls are legit? Instead, you, NBA, teach youth that getting in other people's face is ok. Call the game according to the rules of the game consistently, in accordance with the established rules, and the young will learn the game the right way. Or, if you want, make it an even playing field by eliminating the rules you only call on the non-elite. Please, this used to be a beautiful game. Now, player stats and records mean nothing since rules are enforced based on personalities. Man I miss the game! The real game that my dad and I enjoyed. Any hope here?
4
@Mikey there is this strange notion that refs who enforce the rule are getting in the way of the game.
I always wanted the team to keep their young drafted players (D'Angelo, Julius, Ivica). They were fun adding Zo, BI Hart and Kuz to that group + Thomas Bryant. I can understand wanting to add LBJ but really didn't see a path there and not seeing it now. Magic, met him great guy icon obviously but not a fit; first day telling us Zo is the new face and will have a banner? Jeannie has her work cut out, was glad to see her strong show of support for Luke just today; she is realizing Earvin isn't Jerry West, is my guess. It is a hard transition to make.
@Tom Standring
Jeannie sold out the Lakers future when she subordinated growing the team to making it a showcase for Kobe. Putting Earvin Johnson in charge was designed to attract superstars to the team, but Johnson is not cut out to run an NBA team as he is still too full of himself.
3
James acts and talks as if he is still the bright shining star of the NBA - which he isn't, his star is being outshined by the team concept exemplified by the Warriors. But at least he has stopped calling himself the "greatest basketball player in the world".
6
Michael Jordan seemed to be able to rally his team to give their best at all times. And they did. It seems like some of the Lakers believe too much in the hype that James is the one and only and all they have to do is show up. Not totally their fault as the L.A. sports media and even some of the management abounded the same way when they acquired James. Jordan was a great player and a leader. Mr. James may fall in the great player category but doesn't seem to have the "leader" part down.
5
You cannot fault James. He always gives a maximum effort. And so does Kuzma. There are a number of veteran players who are not going all out all the time. The Lakers will only make the playoffs if these veterans get serious and follow James in effort and commitment. This is not on James.
15
@Milton Lewis Lonzo, on the other hand, has been a true disappointment, plays without maximal effort, and has used up way too many resources.
@Milton Lewis
Oh, yes it is! His last gasp at rigging the system will fail miserably and the Lakers will become the Knicks East. Magic will go back to watching Dodger games if he can even go out in public at all.
Lebron's legacy. "I ruined the Lakers! Well, me and Magic." His idea of modesty.
I was once the biggest Lebron fan in NYC, but not anymore. The reason he went to LA had nothing to do with basketball, and as a sport fan I lost all respect for him. He has some idea of becoming a movie star. The sports gods will not be pleased, and no mortal no matter who it is can look at himself as bigger than the sport without calling all amount of problems on himself. First he hurt his sport by going to the west coast, now most of his games start at 10:30pm eastern time and TV ratings are down. He hurt his chances by going to a team with even less talent than his old team. He then hurt that teams chemistry by trying to get another star to join him, an obvious case of tampering, but the NBA looked the other way as it always does for Lebron, the deal fell through now the rest of the team is against him for trying to trade them off, its a mess, a complete mess, the Lebron star is in decline, and all those deep runs into the playoffs are getting to him. When you are part of a team sport you have to embrace the team concept, and embrace your teammates, Lebron has made it all about himself, and lost the trust of his team, and just like the accompanying photo shows..he now stands alone.
13
The Lakers have enough problems, thankfully they have completely ignored any input from LaVar Ball.
9
Sabotage: Magic and LBJ talking to AD about being a Laker. Commish never stepped in with a fine so Pelicans GM took it upon himself to punish Lakers. He set them up with a proposal and then doubled down on the trade. Lakers responded with willingness of trading 2 thirds of their roster. Pelicans leak the potential trade and abruptly quit taking phone calls from Lakers. Call it like it is:SABOTAGED. And the current Lakers team will never recover.
6
They went 6-11 without Bron. With Bron, Lakers are an 8 seed and two games out of the 4 seed. This article is a bit overwrought.
3
its going to be another Warriorpalooza for the NBA. Adam Silver must think NBA fans are dullards to continue to tune into meaningless regular seasons and endless playoff series punctuated by predictable super team championships.
5
This is a lesson for the Knicks. Free agents are not young. You only get a couple of years for everything to work. They were good with Ewing, but when they brought in established stars like Vandeweghe, Randolph and Anthony, it never worked. James could pull a Dominique Wilkins next week and tear his Achilles. He is still dominant, but name another player at 35 who was still at the top of his game. I guarantee you it's a short list. So if this year is a bust, expect next year to be worse, and ditto the year after that. At 37, he might very well be gone.
10
Given the understanding that LBJ was not going to bring them the trophy in his first year ... or two ... I would have never offered Ingram, much less Kuzma, in trade for anyone ... well, maybe Curry or KD.
3
@Bob Ingram will never be a force in the NBA. Nice roll player, maybe a 10% chance of being a low level all star. Kuzma is very good but he is not on the trajectory of a KD, Greek Freak, or AD.
raptor fan.Watch basketball.Game has really changed.Lots of 3 point shots.Lebron should pack it in and go out a great star.Lebron has a good personality and can do other things.
2
If the readers think that Trump is self-centered and could care less about the United States, multiply that sentiment by a factor of 1000 and you may be inside the orbit of Lebron's ego. He wants to be close to tv and branding opportunities. And that uniform looks awful on him.
2
@Pilot
When LeBron becomes president of the United States we'll keep your thoughts in mind.
1
@Pilot I don't root for Lebron on the Lakers, but trump's a bum and I appreciate Lebron calling him out on his garbage.
4
There has to come a time, if it isn't already here, to ask how long Walton can keep his job. The Lakers simply aren't playing league-class defense, and they miss far too many free throws. Where does this inability come from? They are stuck with LeBron, if that is the word, for another three years while he gets less and less mobile, like Byrant did in his last years. Even a league giant like Magic couldn't get the Davis deal done, and now the repercussions will affect the team for perhaps the rest of the season.
4
@Robert McConnell It isn't Walton. John Wooden could rise from the dead and he couldn't make this bunch into stars. The Lakers tanked for half a decade. Ingram was held onto at all costs. Sorry, but he is never going to be a force in the NBA. That's on Magic, not Luke.
Ball is another Magic/Polinka mistake. Who ever heard of a number two draft pick PG who can't shoot? Or who is afraid to take the ball to the hoop because his free throw percentage is below 50%. How this guy got picked before Tatum or Fox is amazing and on Magic.
How about letting Russell go? Now an all star. That's enough. Magic/Polinka is the issue. Not Luke.
4
I hope the Lakers lose MORE GAMES!
Maybe, Lebron James needs to GROW UP!
5
James is 3-6 in the finals. Should really be 1-8.
5
As a Clevelander, i have witnessed the dynamics of having the world's best player for two stretches. The first stretch, capped by "The Decision" left us feeling slighted and deprived; the second left us feeling both fulfilled and relieved.
LeBron James is the greatest. And he let's you and every member of his team know it, every minute of every day. Is that any fun? It stands in STARK contrast to Michael Jordan who while extremely competitive; always seemed to be playing for the love of the game; for fun.
SO call me relieved . . . while the prospects of any rings in Cleveland are only a dream at this point, I can tell assure you people are relaxing and enjoying themselves more. Plus they don't make the Browns look so awful by comparison either, so that's a plus.
LA, you got the greatest; player and headache. Good luck with that. Just don't send him back here. Please . . .
16
@Blackberry88
Jordan... fun? That's not what anyone said who ever played with him. He is quoted as motivating teammates by saying: ‘You’re a loser! You’ve always been a loser!’ If you watched Jordan's Hall of Fame acceptance speech, he made it very clear what he played for, and it wasn't for love of the game. It was to prove everyone wrong who ever thought that someone else was ever better than him. The speech is shocking in its bitterness, but very revealing about what drives greatness, at least for MJ.
5
@Blackberry88
There are countless stories about Michael Jordan verbally and physically abusing teammates and opponents. Ask them how much “fun” it was to be around His Airness.
4
@Lyman
Fair enough! I fully agree that players of this magnitude employ many means (not all nice) to motivate both themselves and their teammates. However, I'll stick to my assertion that at the end of the day, LeBron possesses a certain ruthless zest for winning that Michael did not employ to the same level. I would add the difference is probably meaningless; perhaps only noticeable by the increased presence of social media which amplifies everything.
1
He's just coming back from injury after like a month. Before they were on an impressive roll. I think they will make the playoffs. In one year that right there is something. And if they get Davis or another big time player they could go very deep. This article is a bit premature.
7
AD and Lebron plus throw in another star. they still ain't beating the warriors for a long time.
6
I didn't say they would ... one can only hope .. Toronto matches up well with GS. They could do it.
1
Maybe people weren't paying attention when Lebron signed with the Lakers. He is building a career AFTER basketball in film, entertainment, etc and positioning his son's ascension in basketball. He knew the Lakers would likely not be champions in his remaining years in the NBA. It's not that he doesn't care or his skills are diminishing, which they are or will, it's he has other priorities that don't include BB. If he wanted to win a championship or build a championship team soon he wouldn't have gone to the Lakers.
18
@wsw-actnow
I agree. Likely the greatest motiviating factor was his ability to grow his brand and wealth in a much larger market than Cleveland. Actually winning would only help the King James brand even more.
4
@wsw-actnow
True enough, but it's important to point out that LeBron had/has a house in LA and his kids want to live there. At their age -- and his -- that counts for a lot.
5
NBA is the culprit - basketball is no longer a team sport- it’s a show - the new rules are laughable- more points, better ratings. Problem is that this generation of fans doesn’t know at all what a good defense is - years ago a good defense could win a game - not anymore.
NBA made LeBron - and he in return makes his show - this has been discussed ad nauseam.
Michael Jordan with today’s rules would average 50 points per game - easily
Lakers - no points - no victory- years ago with a good defense - had a chance
6
@Efraín Ramírez -Torres
New rules indeed. How many points would Harden get if the NBA didn't create that stupid No Defense Allowed circle around the basket?
3
Lebrun does not play like he did when he was here in Miami. Something has changed his concept of helping the team on defense. I watch the lakers to focus entirely on Lebron’s play both on offense and defense. He always goes under the basket and hangs out unless his man comes near. Constantly violating the three second rule by not guarding anyone and keeping at least one foot in the paint, it’s clear to opposing coaches and players that he will not defend someone else’s man who drives in for a layup. Watch him, you’ll see. Refs have only called the tech on him once in the many games I have watched and it’s difficult to admire a player who gets away with violations just because the refs are afraid to irritate him. Also to watch a one time good defender turn into a liability on defense so much so that on defense, other than getting rebounds, he turns his team into a four man club trying to defend five. Try watching only Lebron in a game and you will understand why the Lakers will continue to fall most likely this year. Still, when he wants to, he can stop almost anyone. Just doesn’t want to get a foul heaven forbid.
5
Hello Mikey:
I believe the “three second rule” to which you refer only applies to players on offense, not defense.
Cheers,
Jeff Pucillo
@Jeff Pucillo it's called 'illegal defense' - 3 seconds in the paint without guarding.
Contrast the Lakers with the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have a mostly no-name, young roster, a great coach and they play as a team. They are not built around a superstar, although Nikola Jocic may be becoming one. The Lakers are 10th in the Western Conference; the Nuggets are 2nd to the Golden State Warriors.
23
the nuggets will get destroyed by the warriors
7
@Casey That's your opinion. So far, they have split the 2 games they have already played.
2
I think many of you are expecting too much starting off. Nothing great was ever built in a day, it takes time and effort. Most importantly it takes patience everyone so focused on winning now instead of the future. All that matters is in the end like the saying you can lose the battle but win the war. We see the potential so now let us see the growth and see was it worth the wait in the end or not.
2
@Jamall
Many fans in the East, including apparently James, don't realize how much more competitive basketball is out West, after their bedtimes.
2
I like Lebron, have followed his career, and support his right to make whatever decisions he wants. But that doesn't mean I like his choice of the Lakers—why jump there? Stay with Cleveland or go back to Miami. Or go to New Orleans or Portland, somewhere where they could use a hero. I'm not following him, or the NBA, all that much this year.
4
@miller
I have a hunch LeBron is thinking beyond playing basketball and a possible acting career. He's been in at least one movie, where he was credible. I've seen his Shop special on HBO, and he's got a LOT of charm.
He owned a home in Los Angeles when he was still with the Cavs.
3
Lebron takes unbelievable care of himself but you have to wonder when the miles on his odometer will start becoming visible. But that's only part of the problem - the problem the article points out is who are the Lakers going to get? Giving all your pieces up for Davis sounds a lot better ten years ago. Today's three point driven league demands well three point shooters. Not getting Paul George is looking worse with his MVP caliber season and seemingly no shot at getting Kawhi Leonard now.
5
@Jon T Not to mention how they gave away D'Angelo Russell for peanuts. He's now a 22-year-old all-star ballin for the Nets.
I never understood all the praise for making the Finals for x consecutive years from the East, that completely ignored the fact the East is several steps below the West.
This season we're seeing how meaningless that accomplishment was.
17
@MTS
How many of those "consecutive" trips to the finals produced an NBA ring for James?
How did those same teams fare after James left?
So James is? You apparently lack the correct words. Others don't.
3
This a good reminder that basketball, like many professional sports, requires a team effort to win championships. I’m a Green Bay Packers fan, and while Aaron Rodgers may be one of the top 5 QBs in the history of the game, his lack of a supporting cast has led to only one SB win in over 10 years.
NBA-style basketball is a grueling sport and takes a toll on the best-conditioned athletes, especially as they age. To expect more is silly, whether it’s LA or Green Bay.
8
@HeyJoe
Rodgers is the best QB the NFL has seen to date. GB clearly has squandered the talent that Rodgers brings to the table. Maybe they get lucky with new coaching and a new GM.
4
Thanks GLO. I share your sentiment. The move to fire MM was late, but better late than never. I have confidence in their new coach. If they can simply protect Rodgers as NE protects Brady, they should find their way back to the SB. Here in WI, we sure hope so.
2
favre was a lot better than Rodgers. Rodgers is very overrated
It will be interesting to see if the Lakers can put a team around LeBron that is good enough to contend for a title. The Cavaliers failed to maintain theirs' when Kyrie Irving went his petulant way only one year removed from Cleveland's lone title, in what would, nevertheless, be part of four straight trips to the NBA Finals with Mr. James at the helm. If you suppose that it takes three elite-caliber players in order for NBA teams to compete for a title, the addition of Anthony Davis still leaves the Lakers lacking that third part, plus a credible rest of the roster of players who know their roles. Akron is my hometown, and I've known about LeBron since he was in eighth grade. In all that time, he has displayed a maturity beyond his years, a composure that is admirable, and an honest frankness that is refreshing. Then there is the DRIVE. The Lakers have the right man to build around, but they have no time to lose. At 34, the clock is ticking.
17
@Amit Chokshi I don't disagree with your view about the talent of Ingram and Kuzma, but the Lakers offered them both as well as other players and draft picks to get Davis this year. And based on the points the Lakers are giving up, the jury is out on their defensive prowess.
1
The real story is that the Lakers had a world class owner named Jerry Buss, whose teams won 10 titles and were at the highest level more often than not. Before he died, he left the franchise to his incompetent children, who promptly drove the team to the bottom of the NBA. I think Knicks fans know something about a child of privilege assuming control of their team and ruining it.
So now Magic has control, and he talked LeBron into coming, but I was a little surprised he did, because the Lakers were so far away from even being a playoff team. They’ll probably get Anthony Davis next year, but who else? All of this is moot of course if Kevin Durant stays with the Warriors because no other team had a shot then (everyone’s gonna be rooting for injuries so there’s hope for other teams).
7
@Zack
This narrative needs a large asterisk. The NBA inexplicably vetoed the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers in 2011. Vetoing that trade really hurt the Lakers as they would have been much better setup for the post Kobe era. The worst thing is the Lakers offered much better players than the Clippers in the trade that NBA actually approved.
2
James is a great player and philanthropist.
Having said that, he’s not a great teammate and he’s not coachable. He left a poor Cavs team to go to an even worse Lakers team. We shouldn’t expect them to succeed, but the level of disharmony is troubling and negatively impacts his legacy.
26
Outside of Los Angeles, nobody feels bad about what's happening to the Lakers. What's the word for deserved bad fortune they use in California? Oh yes, "karma".
24
Not overnight for god's sake. I'm generally a Lebron hater but come on! One year reprieve is the least to give the man.
11
Kuzma and James are the foundation of a good team, but LA doesnt have enough help for them this year.
1
First I was a Cavs’ fan, the rooted for the Miami Heat, then the Cavs again. I can’t become a Lakers’ fan though even if I watched a couple of their games this season. LeBron made a huge mistake by moving to the West. He should have picked a team in the Eastern Conference. Well, he really should have stayed in Miami.
3
I seem to remember the Lakers were ranked 4th in the conference prior to LeBron's injury.
1
@Bun Mam Injuries are part of the game.
1
It is almost as if the Lakers thought they wouldn't actually sign James. He has to have a strong supporting cast (frankly, all teams do) in order to get to the finals. He was never going to be able to do it himself. Even Jordan had Pipen and even Rodman at times.
He probably should have stayed with the Cavs.
10
Nobody thought the Lakers where going to win anything with that roster. Unless you don’t know a good player from an average player.
3
“This was supposed to be the year Los Angeles, behind James, reclaimed the N.B.A.”
Really? With this opening-day roster? No basketball fan I know thought this would be the Lakers’ year, LeBron or no LeBron.
LeBron James
Rajon Rondo
Brandon Ingram
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
JaVale McGee
Reserves
Kyle Kuzma
Josh Hart
Lonzo Ball
Lance Stephenson
Michael Beasley
Isaac Bonga
Ivica Zubac
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
21