After LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this past off-season, many fans of the storied franchise had mixed emotions.

A lot were excited that James immediately put the team in playoff contention; but a number also felt threatened and that cheering for him would mean being disloyal to Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest and beloved Laker of all-time. These are two players constantly in the conversation for GOAT and although they’ve never met in an NBA Finals, have had quite a rivalry these past few years.

While this acceptance may have been quite rocky, many have slowly started to warm up to the idea, thanks to current members of the Laker brass making The King feel at home.

Players like Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart have expressed their excitement to play with the four-time MVP, while Laker President Jeanie Buss has publicly reassured everyone that James dawning the purple and gold will not tarnish Kobe’s legacy.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Byron Scott during the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 13, 2024.
Former Laker Byron Scott reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘most gangster s**t’ everMiguel La Torre ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·

Even The Mamba himself has given his own seal of approval and while on The Rich Eisen Show, predicted that this fan base will eventually learn to root for LeBron James:

“But listen, if you are fan of mine, you are a fan of winning, you are a fan of the Lakers. I bleed purple and gold. So that is above anything else. I have been a Lakers fan since I was yay high. That is never going to change. Right? [It] is about winning championships. So they'll fall in line.”

Kobe Bryant makes a good point in that winning solves almost any problem in basketball. As soon as the team finds success with LeBron James leading them, it may cause the majority of Laker fans to have a change of heart.

After all, if Bryant can get behind this move, why shouldn’t Laker Nation?