LeBron Legacy Slipping?

Last night, in what could be considered the most surprising first-round exit of the year, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated. The Minnesota Timberwolves not only sent LeBron James & Luka Doncic home early, but they did it in 5 games... and in LA! This latest surprising fall by the Lakers has left many fans confused, frustrated, and unsure about their future.

Amongst all this turmoil, the question has to be about LeBron James’ legacy, mostly as a Laker though will be the focus. Now don’t get up my ass already with the “Well he got a championship, and it’s so hard to win in today’s NBA” crybaby attitude. I’m going to address that, don’t worry. I have never been a Bron stan by any means, but I respect the game and success within it at all levels. So yes, in 2020 he got a championship... but let’s not act like it doesn’t have the BIGGEST asterisk in sports history. The season was cut short and all playoff games were played in a bubble with no fans. Congrats, yay...and okay I hear ya gain, for sure, if my team won a bubble chip I’d be all over that shit, pumping my fist to “We Are the Champions.” blasting at all times. I’m more so going after LeBron’s legacy as a Laker, than the Lakers as a whole.

Okay, so for now that’s been addressed, let’s zoom in on the other six seasons.

When LeBron got to LA in 2018–19, he was still in his early 30s and, by most accounts, still considered in the prime of his career. Since then, he has missed the playoffs twice, been eliminated in the 1st round three times, with a lone Western Conference Finals run ending in a sweep in 2023. This includes a 2–12 record in his last three playoff series. Woah, hold up what! That stat right there is very glaring... I think we can all agree on this. James is supposed to be the golden standard of the league, but is it time to really, as a whole, we need to check him? YES!

If we just look at this playoffs, he was, or is, however to say that, not the same player. Many can argue even LeBron doesn’t have the clutch gene of other greats. Has he had some moments? Yes and no. When we think of his Finals success, we think of Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Kyrie Irving, and even bubble Anthony Davis as either making insane plays or having legit performances in the crunch. Yes, you’re screaming at me about the “block,” so he did have a moment there, but also, you have to give me credit on the fact that those guys did make plays or had incredible Finals.

Then he heads to LA...all the buzz, the number change, and fans were already counting the rings that could come. Well, here we are seven seasons later, and all James has is a ring pop (which are still pretty legit...totaly miss those things). It’s time we call it as it is: LeBron is an insane talent, BUT he needs to be checked a bit on the “greatest ever” talk with all of these shortcomings. I haven’t even touched the antics, the control he took of this team, the coaches’ graveyard he’s left, and ohh boyyy what about the whole son situation this season.

Winning championships is not the only criteria, I know and fully agree. Amazing players have come and gone with insane talents, never winning a chip. But also...they aren’t in the “greatest ever” convo. When discussing greatest ever, that’s where the whole picture should be discussed. So I want to drop one more BOMB before I write this thing out: Second half of their careers…again read that carefully..SECOND HALF. Steph Curry’s legacy is greater than LeBron’s. The facts, wins, and stats are there. Also Curry has had much more obstacles in injuries & size too. It’s been said, let it marinate, and when you calm down you’ll see it. Trust.