Derek Fisher: A lot of Lakers fans didn’t love LeBron James’ time in LA

For all that LeBron James accomplished with the Lakers, not everyone in Los Angeles seemed heartbroken to see him go.

Former Lakers guard Derek Fisher admitted as much during an interview with Yahoo Sports, saying he’s been surprised by just how many fans appear ready to move on following James’ departure.

“A lot of people in LA didn’t love LeBron’s time here,” Fisher said. “And that’s been confusing to me — the reaction to him deciding not to return to LA. A lot of people have celebrated it and, ya know, almost had a parade as if this is the greatest thing ever.

“I’m not saying this is doomsday for the Lakers by any means. I think the organization will be fine. It’s been here for 80 years. But I’m surprised at some of the reaction for sure. People have moved on. A lot of fans have.”

So why wasn’t James embraced the same way as so many Lakers legends before him?

Fisher believes much of it comes down to timing.

“You think about the greats of Lakers past, many of those guys were kind of born and raised as Lakers for the most part,” he said. “You think about James Worthy, a No. 1 draft pick. You think about Magic Johnson. Even though Kareem — formerly Lew Alcindor — was traded to LA, he spent a considerable amount of time here and really felt like a piece of the fabric of LA.

“And so many greats, even Shaq, eight years here. It’s as if people forgot he played in Orlando as well. But it’s the years here in LA that changed everything. Obviously, Kobe being here for 20 seasons.

“So I think other stars just felt more like they became who they were as Lakers. And I think a lot of Lakers fans had a difficult time receiving the fact that LeBron wasn’t already LeBron before he got here.”

James spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning an NBA championship in 2020 and adding another remarkable chapter to a Hall of Fame career that was already firmly established before he ever arrived in Los Angeles.

Fisher’s point wasn’t that James failed as a Laker. It was that, fairly or unfairly, many fans never viewed him the same way they viewed the franchise icons who built their legacies in purple and gold.

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