LeBron James has been with the Los Angeles Lakers for eight years now. That’s twice as many years as he spent with the Miami Heat.
However, some NBA fans will never think of him as a Laker. He’s the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers history, reached his peak in Miami, and then moved to the Western Conference for what seemed to be the final phase of his career.
That’s why, even after one championship and all this time, Lakers legend Byron Scott still doesn’t consider him an all-time franchise great.
Talking to former NBA player Olden Polynice on his podcast, the former Lakers player and coach agreed with the narrative that LeBron wasn’t ‘a true Laker:’
“I think that’s part of it,” Scott said. “And I think the fact that you got so many great players that retired a Laker, I think LeBron likes going off script.”
Perhaps that perception comes from the fact that this was supposed to be James’ farewell tour, yet he’s still going strong after eight years in Sunny California.
Even so, Scott believes this will definitely be his final season with the franchise. James will be a free agent, and he believes he’s going to return to Cleveland for one last dance:
“I think this is his final year with the Lakers,” Scott said. “I think he’ll go back to Cleveland and play one more year there and then get the statue and all the stuff they are going to do in Cleveland. For me, he got one more year left after this. That’s what I see. I think the city would really, really love him even moreso and respect the fact that he came back home for his final season, to retire a Cleveland Cavalier. I think that would be fitting.”
The Lakers are ready to turn the page with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves at the helm, and James has earned the right to walk away on his own terms, ‘true Laker’ or not.