It took a lot of effort from multiple parties and perfect circumstances but LeBron James is finally a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The 15-year veteran’s legacy is already somewhat cemented. He is undeniably one of the greatest players in NBA history with plenty of accolades to show for it and a bevy of off-court philanthropic causes that extend beyond the sport that made him famous.
James has always been conscious of his legacy and he has spoken at length about chasing Michael Jordan for the right to wear the crown as the greatest of all time. Even still, his latest move can be an added boost to what is already an incredible career, a merging of a historic franchise with a championship-winning legacy with a continuously record-setting freakish athlete.
James seems aware of that fact, as well. On Sunday, the superstar forward spoke for the first time about his move to Los Angeles in an Uninterrupted video announcing the opening of his IPROMISE school in Akron, Ohio. While James’ comments start with his discussion of one of the greatest off-court deeds he has done to date, his excitement still shows when he transitions to speaking about the Lakers:
.@KingJames. More than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/aZGthMCEBv
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) July 29, 2018
“It’s kind of bittersweet timing because on this hand I have a brand new school that’s opening and I want to be there on a day-to-day basis for these kids and on the other hand, I’m moving. I’m moving to Los Angeles. This is kind of like a dream come true for me. Growing up, I was a Cowboys fan, I was a Bulls fan, and I was a Yankees fan and I’ve always felt that that was one of the historic franchises and you look at the Lakers. Being able to play for an historic franchise with so much history and being able to partner with Magic Johnson – someone I looked up to when I was younger and wanted to make no-look passes like Magic, wanted to get on the break and be Showtime like Magic – and then for it all to come to fruition at this point, I think timing is everything.
For me to be in this position now, the excitement I have to be a Laker, I’m happy to be a part of it. I believe the Lakers is a historical franchise – we all know that – but it’s a championship franchise and that’s what we’re trying to get back to and I’m happy to be a part of the culture and be a part of us getting back to that point.”
James’ excitement about joining the purple and gold will only get fans more hyped up about what should be an incredible season that can’t come soon enough.
