Has LeBron James' tenure with the Lakers been a failure? Fans weigh in.
As the LeBron James era with the Lakers nears its potential end, fans reflect on what the NBA superstar accomplished in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — Clara Massey stood behind her walker and methodically moved in front of Crypto. com Arena after trekking from her nearby apartment. She was wearing a purple Los Angeles Lakers jersey, a purple Lakers cap and sunglasses with yellow frames (or, as any self-respecting Lakers fans would point out, Lakers gold.
) “I just come down, walk around and get the good energy and give the good energy,’’ Massey told USA TODAY Sports. That energy was mostly pro- LeBron James with the Lakers on the verge of elimination from the playoffs on Monday, May 11 and Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder potentially being James’ last with the Lakers, if not the NBA altogether. As tipoff grew closer, the moment prompted the following question: Has James' time with the Lakers been a failure?
Despite the fact James led the Lakers to a championship – the 17 th in franchise history in 2020 that culminated in the NBA bubble in Walt Disney World in Florida. Despite the fact he became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in front of Lakers fans when he overtook Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . Despite the dunks, the 3-pointers and, well, more than a few turnovers.
“I think he did a lot,’’ Massey said. “Won a championship. And he’s still contributing.