Los Angeles, CA — WNBA icon Lisa Leslie is calling on Los Angeles Lakers supporters to give LeBron James the recognition she believes he has earned during his eight seasons in purple and gold.
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” the former L.A. Sparks star thanked the four-time NBA champion for joining the franchise in 2018 and sustaining championship standards following Kobe Bryant’s retirement and subsequent passing.
“Can we give LeBron his flowers, his crown?” Leslie said on the program. “I’m an L.A. girl, and LeBron filled a huge void for us. We lost the great, late Kobe Bryant. To have LeBron come to L.A. and perform at the level he has for this amount of time—sometimes we are so critical of a man who has been nothing but perfection for the Purple and Gold.”
James, 41, is entering a pivotal offseason as he decides whether to return for a ninth year with the Lakers, consider another team, or retire. Despite his age, the forward showed this postseason that he can still serve as a key option behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves if he stays in Los Angeles.
Leslie praised James for guiding the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship, ending a title drought that began after the team’s last victory with Bryant in 2010. “He has held the standard and carried the legacy of what the Lakers are,” Leslie added. “LeBron James, thank you for coming to L.A. and being everything that you have been. We appreciate you.”
James has faced criticism since signing with the Lakers, with skeptics questioning whether his move was driven more by business interests than basketball goals. The 20-time All-Star nevertheless delivered the franchise’s 17th championship and remained with the club through multiple roster overhauls and two missed playoffs.
In addition to Leslie’s remarks, James recently highlighted the development of guard Austin Reaves, an undrafted two-way signee in 2021 who is expected to command a near-max contract in free agency this summer. James said watching Reaves’ growth has been one of the bright spots of his time in Los Angeles.
While league observers anticipate James will opt into one more season at Crypto.com Arena, Leslie’s public appreciation underscored the impact the veteran has already made on a franchise that was searching for stability after Bryant’s departure.
Source: LakersNation.com
