Photo by Keith Allison
Three-time NBA champion, Lebron James just announced his move to join the Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday and everyone is talking about it.
Photo by Keith Allison
The basketball superstar will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers after closing a four-year, $153.3 million controversial contract. Depending on who you ask, this is either a total shock or something that makes complete sense. Longtime Cavaliers fans, who are so used to seeing their favorite superstar in purple and gold, mourn the loss of their hero. But to those who are able to look at Lebron James’ career objectively, the Lakers is and have always been a great idea.
After years of trying to rebuild a team who, admittedly, have seen better glory days, the tides seem to be turning for the Lakers after a series of strategic player acquisitions. For the past year, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have played the team astoundingly. Things are looking up. And now they are having a shiny new upgrade after snatching the biggest free agent in the market.
Why The Lakers?
This is the longest deal James has signed after a six-year contract back in 2010 with Miami Heat. As a free agent, he could have the pick of the litter. So why exactly, choose the Los Angels Lakers?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway for the NBA champion is a personal one. James and his family – wife, Savannah, sons Lebron Jr. and Bryce, as well as daughter Zhuri – are most probably excited at the prospect of living in Los Angeles full time. The family is known to have two homes in the city, and have spent quite an amount of time there during off-seasons.
Not only does the decision sound sweet on a personal level, its possible benefits to the next stage of his career might be even sweeter. And although one could argue that James staying with Cleveland could have been a safer, more secure option, the lure of the Lakers couldn’t be resisted.
Moving to the Lakers is not the safest choice, James will be joining a famous franchise with immense pressure and expectations for a championship. Additionally, he will have to work harder and compete with Golden State and Houston for a chance to compete for another Championship ring. It’s a jungle that he has entered himself into. But apparently, it’s a risk he is willing to take.
If the risk pays, James will be in a great position to cap his career while playing for a legendary team. And if he plays his cards right, another shiny ring. What’s ahead is an exciting journey. He will have a chance to create a powerhouse of his own and build chemistry with a new team, creating a new story for himself as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
What It Could Mean For The Los Angeles Lakers
There is no use denying this is a major win for the sports franchise. With Lebron James on the top of their roster, they are starting to look more and more like a championship contender. Is this going to happen anytime soon? The odds are still out on that. But James signing on is definitely a step up for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Point guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lance Stephenson, the latter being James’ longtime nemesis, will also be filling the roster. Warriors center and veteran Javal McGee just signed on as well. With some talk about a possible Kawhi Leonard trade, it’s becoming pretty clear that the Lakers is setting up shop to make a formidable contention in the coming seasons. This is the first time in years that the team has had substantial recruiting pitches.
There might also be another benefit that could change this team’s direction in the future. This long-term deal with the NBA superstar could prove tremendously useful for the Lakers. With James’ decision to join the team on a long-term basis, this could be used as a leverage to invaluable trade negotiations right now and in the future.
The Lakers are also rumored to be offering only one-year deals so they can maximize their cap space for the 2019 summer.
Lebron James and Lance Stephenson
Another thing that keeps everyone abuzz in speculation is the fact that Lebron James and Lance Stephenson will be in the same team. This comes as a surprise to anyone who has seen these players butt heads on more than one occasion. In fact, Stephenson has a long history of trying to get a reaction from Lebron. During the 2014 playoffs, Stephenson infamously blew in James’ ear. And on this year’s playoff, James got T’d off after shoving Stephenson.
The history between this two would be interesting to watch. But would it affect the team’s chances for championship contention? Let’s assume that everything works well and both can create a professional relationship on the same team. Stephenson is a known playmaker who can create possibilities for himself and for his team. Although his sub-30 percent shooting from the previous three seasons disappointed many, he was a solid shooter from a distance.
Paired with James’ leadership skills – attesting to how he managed to build Cleveland a solid team literally from scratch – Stephenson can prove to be an invaluable part of the team. He can take some pressure off James on the offense, for one. Also, he’d be one less irritating player the King has to face off with on the court. This could actually be a win-win.
How It Can Affect The NBA
This chain of events does not only affect Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers but the NBA as well. This shift of players means a shift in the balance and ecosystem that the league is currently having. It will, ultimately, change the paths of many players and teams alike.
According to ESPN insider, Jackie Mcmullan, “It means the NBA’s orange ball is LeBron’s orbit, and the rest of the league is floating aimlessly about, hoping to be sucked into his world. He is the Kevin Bacon of the NBA — everyone is six degrees of separation from LeBron. Kawhi Leonard.”
Andre Snellings of ESPN Fantasy also adds that “The league has the potential to be imbalanced in a way it hasn’t been since the Boston Celtics traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in 2007. In the decade before that deal, the West ruled the NBA with an iron fist. With the Heat and the Cavs, James led the Eastern Conference champions for eight consecutive seasons, winning three titles and always giving his team a puncher’s chance. The East will need the Celtics to step up or the 76ers to grow up quickly to stay relevant in the championship conversation.”