According to NBA insiders Bobby Marks and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, LeBron James has privately questioned whether Los Angeles Lakers fans would fully embrace him due to their love for the late great Kobe Bryant.
When LeBron signed with the Lakers in July 2018, two murals of The King in Los Angeles were defaced.
Many Bryant “stans” don’t like LeBron since Kobe fans think The Black Mamba is the GOAT, while LBJ fans believe The Chosen One is the greatest of all time.
After Bryant passed away in January 2020, LeBron gave a speech at a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers where he spoke from the heart about his close relationship with Bryant. The Lakers won the 2020 championship, with LeBron winning his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP.
Most Lakers fans have grown to appreciate LeBron. However, multiple LA fans on social media still don’t like the NBA’s all-time leading scorer because of their devotion to Bryant.
LeBron, 39, can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers worth $51.4 million. The future Hall of Famer is still putting up elite numbers despite being the oldest player in the NBA.
LeBron is averaging 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists this season.
“I feel like I’m still that threat out on the floor and I am still able to do the things that I was doing 10 years ago,” LeBron said after becoming the first player ever to score 40,000 career points. “And some things I was doing 20 years ago, which is weird to say.”
A 20-time All-Star, LeBron is first in NBA history in points, second in field goals, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game, third in player efficiency rating and eighth in 3-point field goals.
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