July 1st, 2018 will be a day many Los Angeles Lakers fans will never forget. Some will even be able to say where they were when they first heard the news. LeBron James had signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans cheered, others panicked, fearing a certain player’s legacy would come under attack. But there shouldn’t be panic, as that player will still be a legend.
Los Angeles Lakers Fans should Embrace LeBron James
The last few years have been trying times for Laker nation. In the span of five years, the Lakers organization lost its owner, Jerry Buss, leading to subpar management headed by Jim Buss. To make matters worse, Kobe Bryant, their perennial superstar, finally retired after he succumbed to father time. This, on top of continually missing the playoffs, and earning the worst records in franchise history, led fans to fear the worst. But hope was on the way.
The Rebuild
The seeds of a rebirth were planted. Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson were hired as general manager and president of basketball operations, respectively. The young core showed promise, even with LaVar Ball’s overzealous proclamations. The Lakers also came into the 2018 free agency period with a significant amount of cap space.
As soon as James opted out of his contract, the internet was abuzz about where he would go. On July 1st, at 9:01 p.m. PST, Johnson, the master showman, stood outside of James’ Brentwood home, ready to sell Los Angeles. “I was happy to go and represent the Lakers, and talk basketball, talk winning, talk team, and talk players. All of it rolled into one,” Johnson stated at a press conference on July 13th.
And just like that, over 17 hours later, James had signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Many Lakers fans rejoiced everywhere, seeing this as the chance to rise up once again. But with them, came a new wave of angry fans.
LeBron Backlash
Many Los Angeles Lakers fans began to group together outside the Staples Center on July 1st, and who could blame them? James is one of the greatest to ever play the game and coming off his 15th season with another Finals appearance, is still, by a large margin, the best player in the league. Many fans, however, immediately rejected James.
James is certainly not the first superstar to come over to Los Angeles from another team. Superstars like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul–Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal precede him. They eventually cemented themselves as Lakers legends, each winning championships and Finals MVPs, respectively.
Two different murals have both been damaged, with the former being removed entirely by the artist himself. Fans took to Twitter, stating that LeBron has “to earn his place,” and that LeBron “will never be better than Kobe.” Certain publications, such as the New York Times, have even gone as far as to publish absurd articles on why Bryant fans will never embrace James. But what many fans don’t understand is that the team’s future looks bright, and Bryant’s legacy is set.
Having Both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James is Good
Los Angeles Lakers fans: embrace James.
What they do not realize is that with him, Los Angeles finally has a chance to contend for a title once again. Yes, they were not able to snag Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard is still a year away from free agency. But the arrival of James comes with it, one of greatest players ever, as well as experience and motivation that the young core could use. This secures the future of the franchise once James inevitably retires. This is the dawn of a new era for the Lakers, one where Bryant will still be a Lakers legend.
Bryant has gone on record since then, saying that he will help with whatever James needs, stating that “he’s part of the family now.” Ever since James first began playing, the media and fans have debated over who is the better player, Bryant or James. But the signing of James provides Los Angeles Lakers fans a chance to embrace him.
The greatest Laker of all time is still Bryant. He played on the team for 20 years, set records, and played a crucial part of five championship teams. The fact is, fans should realize the greatness that James is himself, and excite themselves over the thrilling seasons that are to come.
Ultimately, for the Lakers, and Los Angeles as a whole, this is the chance of a lifetime. For true fans, July 1st will remain the best day in franchise history since Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals.
