LeBron James denied a report by ESPN that he signed with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 partly as a consequence of how the group dealt with Kobe Bryant’s ultimate seasons of his profession with nice care.
Taking to X on Saturday, the Lakers star shared a cap emoji and included a put up by Legion Hoops that learn: “Report: LeBron James joined Lakers partly due to how they dealt with ultimate seasons of Kobe Bryant’s profession.”
James defined why he moved his household from his native Cleveland, the place he helped carry a championship to the Cavaliers in 2016, to Los Angeles.
“I got here to the Lakers trigger I wished to assist Jeanie win championships, carry that Spark again to the Lakers and see my household blossom in SoCal,” James wrote.
“Why would I decide on how another person is handled. Mama all the time mentioned ‘Keep out of grown of us enterprise.’”
James has been open about how his spouse, Savannah and youngsters — Lakers rookie Bronny, Bryce Maximus and daughter Zhuri — take pleasure in dwelling in California.
The report, printed by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Oct. 4, coated the Lakers’ coaching camp with first-year head coach JJ Redick.
“A part of the rationale James got here to the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 is the usual of care they confirmed in the course of the ultimate seasons of Bryant’s profession a decade in the past,” sources instructed ESPN. “James preferred taking part in for an iconic franchise as a lot as he preferred the way it handled its iconic gamers.”
quarter to attain his sixtieth level in opposition to the Utah Jazz at Staples
Middle on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Photos
Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in California in January 2020, spent his total 20-year NBA profession with the Lakers.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers vice chairman of operations, referred to as former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski — a former shut good friend of Bryant, who’s coached each him and James on Crew USA — to ask for recommendation on how you can strategy the top of James’ profession.
“It was nearly going into the final a part of LeBron’s profession, how his legacy needs to be intertwined with what the staff is doing,” Krzyzewski instructed ESPN of his message to Pelinka. “I mentioned it could’t be the one factor that you simply’re pondering of. However is there a method that you could assist him in positioning him in numerous methods on offense? On protection?”
Bryant, a five-time NBA champ, performed his ultimate sport on April 13, 2016, and the Lakers retired his numbers 8 and 24 on December 18, 2017.
James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, signed a two-year extension value $101.35 million to return to the Lakers in July.
The 20-time NBA All-Star may’ve secured a $104 million max deal, however he took a $2.7 million low cost to assist the Lakers keep away from wage cap restrictions, in keeping with ESPN.
James’ tweet got here after he responded to a different put up by Legion Hoops, which shared a video clip of an NBA broadcaster who mentioned Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook turned the Lakers’ scapegoat once they have been teammates.
The four-time NBA champ, together with Anthony Davis, didn’t play within the Lakers’ preseason opener, a 124-107 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday.
In his preseason debut, Bronny recorded two factors, one help, and one rebound in 16 minutes.
James is anticipated to play in L.A.’s preseason matchup with the Suns on Sunday.
