LeBron wants to lift Lakers to top
Los Angeles, July 31: LeBron James says he is looking forward to the challenge of turning around the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, who are coming off the worst fiveyear period in franchise history.
“I like the challenge of being able to help a team get to places that they haven’t been in quite a while,” James told American sports broadcaster ESPN.
“And obviously the Lakers haven’t made the playoffs in a few years, but the Lakers organisation and historical franchise matches up there with all the greats. You can look at the (NFL Dallas) Cowboys and you can look at the (NFL New England) Patriots, you can look at Manchester United, the Boston Celtics — these are like historical franchises.
“And for me to be a part of that, I think it’s a great move not only for me but for my family and for the history of basketball in general,” he added.
James was speaking on Monday in his first public comments since leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and signing with the Lakers.
The 33-year-old James is entering his 16th NBA season. He has won three championships and made it to the finals nine times, including a streak of eight years straight.
James had agreed to a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers, leaving the Cavaliers after four seasons in which he led them to four NBA finals.
James brought Cleveland its first major sports crown since 1964 when the Cavs won the 2016 NBA crown but lost three of four finals showdowns with the Golden State Warriors. He decided to make a move in hopes of rebuilding the Lakers into a winner.