The NBA legend, LeBron James, recently clarified the reasons behind his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. Contrary to reports suggesting he was influenced by the Lakers’ treatment of Kobe Bryant, James emphasized his primary motivations: winning championships, reviving the Lakers’ glory, and providing a better life for his family.
Buzzing Rumors
James is turning 40 this December but a retirement tour wasn’t in the back of his mind when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. The all-time top scorer in NBA history “called cap,” or exposed a falsehood, on social media after reading a report that stated he made the decision to join the purple and gold team after seeing how the team handled the final few seasons of another legend, the late Kobe Bryant. And James will probably hang up his Lakers jersey.
“Part of the reason James came to the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 is the standard of care they showed during the final seasons of Bryant’s career a decade ago, sources said. James liked playing for an iconic franchise as much as he liked how it treated its iconic players.”
A Champion’s Ambition
James took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday morning to dispute that statement. “I came to the Lakers cause I wanted to help Jeanie win championships, bring that Spark back to the Lakers and see my family blossom in SoCal,” the four-time NBA champion said. “Why would I make a decision on how someone else is treated. Mama always said ‘Stay out of grown folks business’.”
In short, James’ move to Los Angeles was driven by a deep-seated desire to contribute to the Lakers’ legacy and secure multiple NBA titles. His partnership with Anthony Davis led to a championship win in 2020, which revitalized the franchise’s popularity and success. Beyond basketball, James’ decision was also influenced by personal considerations. The move to Los Angeles offered his family a better quality of life in Southern California. His son, Bronny, has now joined the Lakers as a rookie, further strengthening the family’s connection to the franchise, making the Lakers as popular as ever. As King James’ seventh season in the Southland is about to kick off in a few weeks, it’s tough to dispute that he hasn’t accomplished those goals.
