"In a city where he has played for the longest stretch of his life, LeBron James should be considered one of the greatest Lakers ever. Yet, by most accounts, he's barely in the top 10. James set the career scoring record here, set the career longevity record here, and won a long-awaited NBA championship here. Yet he is generally ranked behind Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy ... and maybe even Pau Gasol?"
"When he likely leaves the team after this season, James should get a statue. He won't. He should get a farewell game similar to Kobe Bryant's final good-bye. He won't. For eight breathtaking seasons, LeBron James has poured his soul into pleasing a passionate fan base such that he still fills Crypto.com Arena with joy and light and tomahawk dunks at age 41."
"Yet most fans can't wait for him to leave. They're tired of his drama, unconvinced of his loyalty, dissatisfied with the results, and ready to embrace fresh new franchise faces. One of those belongs to Austin Reaves, who was unwittingly pitted against James this week during unfortunate speculation from James' agent and close friend Rich Paul. Bottom line? If forced to choose between James and Reaves, here's guessing the majority would choose Reaves."
LeBron James played his longest stretch in Los Angeles, set the franchise scoring and longevity records, and won an NBA championship with the Lakers. He remains generally ranked behind Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and James Worthy, and possibly Pau Gasol. He likely will not receive a statue or a farewell game akin to Kobe Bryant's. For eight seasons he energized fans at Crypto.com Arena with highlight plays even at age 41. Many fans are tired of his drama and question his loyalty and results. Austin Reaves has emerged as a favored franchise face. Trade-deadline decisions and Reaves's impending free agency and possible $241 million contract could complicate James's future and roster decisions.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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