LeBron James is once again a focal point of the Lakers’ drama, albeit not of his own doing.
But James’ history suggests the noise surrounding his name – or the Lakers – won’t impact his play moving forward as the team turns its attention to the second half of the season.
In a Wednesday morning ESPN story that detailed the notorious Buss family drama, including the dynamics before and after the sale of the majority ownership of the team to Mark Walter, the behind-the-scenes feelings from former Lakers controlling owner and current governor Jeanie Buss towards James were touched on.
Not liking that the narrative was that James was considered a “savior” for the Lakers when he joined the franchise in the summer of 2018, and the lack of credit the organization’s leadership received for signing James.
Not appreciating the perceived lack of accountability from James’ side for the trade of Russell Westbrook during the 2021 offseason, a transaction that ultimately proved to be tumultuous. Or not feeling James was grateful enough that the franchise selected his son, Bronny James, in the second round of the 2024 draft.
Buss’ feelings towards James soured to the point, according to ESPN, that she privately contemplated not wanting to extend James’ contract in 2022 (which eventually happened).
And even possibly trading James that year before the contract extension (James received a no-trade clause when he re-signed with the team in the summer of 2024).
Buss told The Athletic that James’ contributions to the Lakers not being appreciated is “just not true and completely unfair to him.”
Regardless of the fallout from Wednesday with the Lakers, James’ next media availability isn’t happening until Thursday night when they play against the Clippers. There shouldn’t be any concerns about how this could possibly affect James moving forward.
James has shown throughout his 23-season NBA career he’ll block out the noise and not let it interfere with his on-court productions or decisions.
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Like when he left his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in the infamous “The Decision” for the Miami Heat in 2010, a move that was ultimately controversial for the manner in which it was done but ultimately produced two NBA championships and four NBA Finals appearances.
Or when he returned to the Cavaliers four years later despite Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert writing a scathing letter about James in the aftermath of James’ departure from the franchise — a decision that produced the Cavaliers’ lone NBA championship and four NBA Finals appearances.
Or even when he decided to assist Rui Hachimura for the game-winning 3-pointer against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 4 instead of attempting to continue his double-digit scoring streak, which ended that night at 1,297 regular-season games.
When noise has surrounded the Lakers during James’ eight seasons with the franchise — from not hiring Ty Lue as coach despite him being James’ preference to the Westbrook deal or even the Lakers making Luka Doncic the centerpiece of the franchise after trading for him last year — he’s been consistent on the court.
He’s been productive.
He’s adapted.
James, 41, understands his own basketball mortality and knows he won’t have many more opportunities to contend for an NBA championship. He’s shown his care for the team with his play and production, both of which have taken an uptick recently, but also winning.
And that won’t change despite the noise the Buss family continues to produce.
“I would never disrespect the basketball gods, I understand that it’s a real thing,” James said earlier this month. “I would never disrespect the basketball gods when it comes to playing this game. So I put the time and the effort and the commitment in it, mentally, physically, spiritually. Every time I hit the floor or I’m at a practice, whatever the case may be, trying to set an example for my teammates and the younger generation that’s watching me or watching throughout my career.
I mean, shoot, my son is right over there, so I can’t afford to cheat the game ever, and I would never do that. And I gotta set an example for him.”
