LeBron James says he can win with ‘any franchise’, not simply Lakers

Tuesday night time was all about LeBron James breaking the NBA scoring report, however now it’s morphing into one thing slightly bit completely different. LeBron stated one thing very curious throughout a post-game interview with Shaq.

“I do know I can play a pair extra years. The best way I’m feeling the way in which my physique’s been reacting to me all through the course of the season I do know I can play a pair extra years. It’s all about my thoughts. If my thoughts is into it, if I’m nonetheless motivated to exit and attempt to compete for championships, I really feel like that’s what I can nonetheless do for any group of fellows, for any franchise.”

Yup… for any group of fellows, for any franchise. Not “the Lakers,” not “this group of fellows,” however anybody. It might have been merely misspeaking slightly, or a really pointed comment about his future in Los Angeles and easily saying the quiet half out loud.

LeBron has masked his frustration with the group, for probably the most half. The staff’s grand plan to assemble a championship-winning massive three of LeBron, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook has been nothing in need of disastrous. Davis has been good when accessible, however routinely injured since becoming a member of the Lakers — whereas Westbrook has been a shadow of his former self during the last two years, and perennially in commerce rumors.

Whereas LeBron has been largely quiet, he couldn’t maintain his tongue when Kyrie Irving was traded to the Mavericks.

The Lakers are in a bizarre spot. They’re thirteenth within the west and preventing for a playoff spot, which continues to be doable given there are solely 4 video games between the fifth place Mavericks and the Lakers. Nevertheless, whereas different groups within the convention are making strikes to get higher, Los Angeles has largely been treading water, with their most notable transfer being a commerce for Rui Hachimura.

Couched inside LeBron’s scoring report on Tuesday night time was the fact that the Lakers nonetheless misplaced to the Thunder 133-130, placing them additional again within the standings in a recreation the place all of their massive three was accessible.

Are the Lakers prepared for yet one more championship push with LeBron on the helm, or is the staff seeking to tear all of it down and rebuild? At this level no one is aware of for sure. LeBron may be traded within the low season, ought to he determine to power his approach out — or Los Angeles could have virtually max-level cash in free company, ought to they commerce Westbrook. So actually, every little thing is within the stability proper now.

That stated, if LeBron decides to depart and he really does imply any staff, then we are able to actually have some enjoyable with this.

The 4 dumbest/funniest places for LeBron James to land if he leaves the Lakers

Cleveland Cavaliers

It will be sort of unbelievable to deliver this again to the place all of it started, and for what it’s price it appears the Cavs are conserving this door open. The staff is already constructed to compete with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, and Cleveland has been curiously conserving its 2024 decide of their pocket — which is the primary 12 months Bronny James might enter the NBA.

Father and son reuniting in Cleveland? It’s dumb, and I like it.

Chicago Bulls

If you wish to put a stake within the “MJ vs. LeBron” debate, then what higher approach that coming to Chicago and profitable a title in Jordan’s home? It will actually up the anti and hoooo, the drama can be scrumptious.

Charlotte Hornets

Let’s get even stupider. The Hornets are ass-bad and they’re determined to assemble celebrity expertise round LaMelo Ball. Think about a scenerio the place we re-invoke the identical MJ vs. LeBron debate, however this time with James coming to Charlotte and profitable the primary title in NBA historical past for the staff Jordan owns.

Bringing the Hornets again from the doldrums can be his biggest achievement.

New York Knicks

It’s the Knicks. I might finish this with a “nuff stated,” and also you’d get it — however think about what getting the Knicks over the hump would imply for LeBron’s legacy. It’s not clear how he’d match with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, however it might be a compelling sufficient roster to positively push the Knicks increased than the place they’re at proper now.

Ultimately, what occurs?

The most secure wager is to imagine the obvious path: LeBron stays in Los Angeles. Is he glad proper now? Completely not, however I believe it’s far safer to take his “any franchise” remark as a shot throughout the bow on the Lakers entrance workplace forward of the commerce deadline, quite than him dropping gloves and wanting out.

LeBron is just not the issue on the Lakers, it’s the expertise round him. If AD can get wholesome once more, and the plug is pulled on the Russell Westbrook experiment, then there’s no motive to doubt this staff couldn’t be again to contending for a title in brief order. The query simply pivots as to if Los Angeles can discover the solutions he’s in search of.