via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant looks to shoot past the Cavaliers’ LeBron James during their 120-108 loss to Cleveland at Staples Center Thursday night. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: lakers.0311.kjs — Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register — 3/10/16 The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Staples Center Thursday night. 3/10/16 (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant looks to shoot past the Cavaliers’ LeBron James during their 120-108 loss to Cleveland at Staples Center Thursday night. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: lakers.0311.kjs — Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register — 3/10/16 The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Staples Center Thursday night. 3/10/16 (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
ESPN analyst and former Cleveland Cavaliers player, Richard Jefferson refused to put LeBron James on the list of the greatest Lakers players ever. As it turns out, the 42-year-old NBA veteran thinks that the Lakers superstar hasn’t done enough for the Lakers to make it to the list among some of the greatest players of all time. Incidentally, Jefferson played with LeBron James during his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Los Angeles Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, more than any other franchise in the NBA except the Boston Celtics. In their dazzling and opulent history, the Lakers have housed some of the greatest players in the history of basketball. Legends like Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal among others, have dominated the court wearing purple and gold.
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According to Richard Jefferson, LeBron James hasn’t accomplished enough accolades for the LA team to be considered for that exclusive list. Incidentally, James secured the 2020 NBA championship for the Lakers.
Lakers fans react to LeBron James not making it into the list of Lakers greats
Richard Jefferson won the 2016 NBA championship with LeBron James. However, the LA native has made it clear that he doesn’t let friendship influence his opinions.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) walks off the court at the end of the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
“LeBron James has not done enough as a Laker to be on that list,” Jefferson declared. “[LeBron has]been in there four seasons. Two years, they haven?t made the postseason. One year, they lost in the first round. And one year, they won a championship.”
Meanwhile, Lakers fans seemed to agree with Jefferson for the most part. They chimed in with their thoughts on King James’ reign in LA. Here are some of the best reactions.
https://twitter.com/SaltCreekBeach/status/1558524999673122816?s=20&t=_heGCEsMJkXh3F7NnSFMCg
https://twitter.com/StephGotNext4/status/1558493493840035841?s=20&t=_heGCEsMJkXh3F7NnSFMCg
Meh, he isn't wrong. But LeBron sits at like 10 or 11 on the Lakers list.
His tenure as a Laker has been weird.
2019 – Missed Playoffs
2020 – Bubble Champion
2021 – 1st Round exit
2022 – Missed Playoffs— Dom 🏀🏀 (@DominickNBA) August 13, 2022
West, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Kobe and Wilt are all way above of LBJ as Lakers greats… so it depends in how many players you want to include in the “greats” list, bc fs LBJ isn’t in the top 5, a tittle, one 1st rd exit + 2 losing seasons just dont get you there playing for the LAL
— Alex (@alets027) August 13, 2022
Hes absolutely correct. That ring isn’t impressive
— 🦆 (82-80) ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@cantguarddurant) August 13, 2022
Correct, Lebron is a Disney world great and not a LA legend
— Jimmy Gets W's (@JimmyGetsWs) August 13, 2022
I can see why he would say that as when you compare lakers great, you have to compare to Shaq, Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Wilt, West who all had they’re best years on the lakers. While someone like lebron “hasn’t done enough” to be considered a great.
— Amir 🖕 (@visiblepeaks) August 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/bartledoo420/status/1558493284758011905?s=20&t=_heGCEsMJkXh3F7NnSFMCg
Yep. It’s that simple. Laker greats are tied to the franchise.
When you think of Magic, Shaq, Kobe, Kareem, etc. you IMMEDIATELY think Lakers.
Yes, LBJ won a ring as one. But, if folks would be honest, most don’t associate Bron’s legacy w/the Lakers.
That’s not slighting him.— srburris (@srburris) August 13, 2022
RJ is right, Lebron might be the best player to be a Laker, but he isn't synonym of the word Lakers, this is reserved to Kobe, Shaq, Kareem, Magic, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor… This isn't a slight to him as players is more of the legacy and longevity of those before him.
— Yshuu (@LeeYshuk) August 13, 2022
https://twitter.com/Iknowsports3k/status/1558544946751098880?s=20&t=_heGCEsMJkXh3F7NnSFMCg
Disagree. As a Lakers fan, that 2020 title meant a lot to me after Kobe’s passing. He may not be the greatest Laker ever, but he’s at least earned a seat at the table in my eyes 👑 x 🐍 💜💛
— Smooth Operator (@Fats_Aldridge) August 13, 2022
LeBron and the Lakers in the upcoming season
The Lakers face a lot of unresolved issues before the start of the 2022-23 season. A disappointing showing last season revealed a lot of flaws in the organization.
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Meanwhile, owner Jeanie Buss fanned the flame of rumors of inner conflicts through a cryptic tweet. In the tweet, Buss called Kobe Bryant the greatest Laker ever and underscored his leadership qualities.
She also highlighted his selfless tendencies in putting the team before himself. However, many construed the tweet to be an implicit jibe at LeBron James.
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Watch this Story: Did LeBron James Drop A Sneak Peek Of The Unreleased LeBron 20s At Drew League?
With multiple questions floating around his identity as a Laker, it will be interesting to see LeBron’s approach next season.
