Lakers’ luster restored, James must beat Heat for title, L. A.’ s respect
ORLANDO — In 2018, the NBA’s biggest star signed with the Lakers and was asked how he would gain the respect of their fans.
“Who, me?” LeBron James said, bemused. “Me?” “Yes, you,” the reporter said. “Huh?” James said, to laughter. Then he smiled. “I signed a fouryear deal. How much more — what do you want me to do?”
Over the next two years, James began to understand the answer to the question he posed. Lakers fans wanted him to win a title.
“What I’ve learned being a Laker is that the Laker faithful don’t give a damn what you’ve done before,” James said Thursday.
On Friday, James can accomplish the only goal that matters to many L. A. fans when the Lakers play the Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a 31 series lead. With a win, they will secure the franchise’s 17th title, the first since 2010.
James has played 17 closeout playoff games — and has won 16.
“Just having that desperation coming to a closeout game,” James said. “I’ve been victorious after having that mindset.”
When James signed with the Lakers, the franchise had missed the playoffs six years in a row and needed a savior. James picked them and picked that role.
The adoration didn’t come immediately. The Lakers started 25, James endured his first major injury, and he was asked if he likes to study the histories of franchises he joins — the implication clearly about Lakers history.
“Nah, this is my job, which is fun for me,” James said back then. “I don’t go out of my way to do anything besides put my commitment and my time into my craft, and this is what I am here to do, to play ball and help lead these guys. That is what I am here to do.”
Reaction was tepid when he passed Michael Jordan on the league’s alltime scoring list.
Two years later, he speaks eloquently about Lakers’ lore and the impact of late owner Jerry Buss. The franchise clung to James in times of challenge and tragedy. He showed Lakers fans his appreciation for their icons never more than in the aftermath of Kobe Bryant’s death.
The main thing, though, was winning. This season, James stayed healthy, and instead of youngsters, he played with seventime AllStar Anthony Davis.
Despite chatter that he came to Los Angeles only to make movies and expand his business empire, James has maintained that he came to restore the Lakers’ luster. He took pride in winning the conference in the regular season, and he also took pride in taking the Lakers back to the NBA Finals.
But he knows his task is more than that.