LeBron James is pushing back against recent claims that his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 was influenced by the way the team treated Kobe Bryant during the final years of his career. A report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne suggested that James respected how the Lakers handled Bryant’s twilight years, but the NBA legend took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his true motivation.
James wrote: “🧢. I came to the Lakers cause I wanted to help Jeanie win championships, bring that Spark back to the Lakers and see my family blossom in SoCal. Why would I make a decision on how someone else is treated. Mama always said ‘Stay out of grown folks business’. 🤷🏾♂️”
In his post, James firmly denied the notion that Bryant’s treatment factored into his decision to move to Los Angeles. Instead, he emphasized that his focus was on reviving the Lakers franchise and helping them win championships under owner Jeanie Buss, while also ensuring a comfortable life for his family in Southern California.
Shelburne’s report claimed that James respected how the Lakers managed Bryant’s final years, particularly as injuries and age began to catch up with the five-time champion. Bryant continued to receive star treatment, large contracts, and consistent playing time despite no longer being at his peak. However, James dismissed the idea that this played any role in his move, stating that his decision was driven by a desire to bring success back to the storied franchise.
James has certainly delivered on those goals. Since joining the Lakers, he has led the team to an NBA championship, revitalized their roster, and brought a renewed sense of purpose to the organization. His family, too, has flourished in Los Angeles, cementing his move as a success on multiple fronts.
With retirement on the horizon, James is receiving the same level of respect from the Lakers as Bryant did, further connecting their legacies in Los Angeles. However, as James made clear, his motivation for joining the Lakers was rooted in his ambition to win and reinvigorate the team—not in how the franchise handled Bryant’s final years.
