Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James reportedly knew his first year in Los Angeles might have to be messy in order for the Lakers to build a winner, according to Sam Amick and Bill Oram of The Athletic.
The Lakers missed the playoffs in James' first season in LA. There was also plenty of dysfunction behind the scenes, as Luke Walton and Magic Johnson didn't get along and the players on the team started not to trust LeBron because of the Anthony Davis trade drama.
Walton and the Lakers parted ways after the season ended, while Magic resigned from his position.
Strange as it might sound, sources close to LeBron insist he always knew that Year No. 1 might have to be messy in order for the Lakers to truly recalibrate for the rest of his Los Angeles run. Yet regardless of how LeBron or anyone else might see this debate about Pelinka’s prospects, anyone who understands what he represents to Jeanie shouldn’t be surprised by her decision to stick with him through all this turmoil. Pelinka, for all intents and purposes, is the unofficial equivalent to Kobe (by proxy) in the eyes of the owner.
The Lakers were in the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings after they defeated the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. However, James suffered the worst injury of his career that day, a tear in his left groin.
LeBron missed 17 consecutive games. The Lakers went just 6-11 during that stretch and fell out of the playoff picture.
James signed a four-year deal with the Lakers, so The King knew it was going to be a process in LA.
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