Hold up, you won't believe this. After eight seasons, an NBA championship, and becoming the league's all-time leading scorer, you'd think Los Angeles Lakers fans would be heartbroken about LeBron James leaving. Nope. Former Lakers guard Derek Fisher dropped a bombshell on Yahoo Sports Daily, revealing there's been actual celebration among fans since James announced his departure. Seriously, Fisher straight up said, "a lot of people in LA didn't love LeBron's time here." Wild, right?
The King's Crown Never Fit In LA
This isn't some new hot take, either. There's been talk for years about how Lakers fans just couldn't fully embrace James, despite the undeniable success. He led them to a title in his second season and guided them to the playoffs six times in eight years, even making the 2023 Western Conference Finals. But even with all that, the city’s adoration just wasn't there like you'd expect for a player of his caliber. Why? It all circles back to one name: Kobe Bryant.
Many Lakers fans, who were also massive Kobe fans, apparently felt like James was stepping on hallowed ground when he arrived in Los Angeles back in the summer of 2018. Bryant himself had to address this back in August 2018 on The Rich Eisen Show. He laid it out plain: "I hear that. But listen, if you are fan of mine, you are a fan of winning, you are a fan of the Lakers. I bleed purple and gold. So, that is above anything else. I have been a Lakers fan since I was yay high. That is never going to change. Right? [It] is about winning championships. So, they'll fall in line." Even Kobe tried to get them to see the bigger picture, but it seems some never did.
A "Successful" Stint That Felt Like a Miss
Look, you can't argue with the numbers. LeBron's time in LA was objectively a success on paper. An NBA championship, that all-time scoring record, consistent playoff appearances. Yet, Fisher's comments show it "may not have produced as much winning as Los Angeles preferred." And hey, with eight different champions in the last eight seasons, it's tougher to win in the NBA than ever before, so a title and a Conference Finals appearance ain't nothing to scoff at. But for a fanbase that celebrates a superstar leaving, you gotta wonder if even those wins ever truly felt enough.
So, as LeBron moves on, the question lingers: Does winning a championship even matter if the fanbase never truly loves you? It’s a wild thought to chew on, especially for a player of his magnitude. What do you even call that kind of legacy?
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.