Was LBJ Predestined to be a Laker?

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

First, I still can't believe we signed LBJ this summer. Whether you approve/disapprove the signing, getting the unquestioned #1 FA in 2018 and likely #1 player overall is quite a seismic shift.

However, it's got me thinking, would LBJ have come to the Lakers with or without Magic/Pelinka?

Was it something that was so ingrained in LBJ's mind that he was going to finish his career as a Laker that it didn't matter? Or, was it Magic/Pelinka's personnel moves (and themselves) that influenced or contributed to LBJ's decision to join?

Personally, I think Magic/Pelinka made the decision easier for LBJ. I do think Magic was a major positive towards the signing, but remember, LBJ signed without a second all star next to him also. I would argue that LBJ was probably over 50% set on joining the Lakers years back. I think the biggest factor was winning a ring in Cleveland. Had he not won that, I could see him trying to finish "unfinished business" (the catchphrase recently of DRoz/PG13).

Put simply, would LBJ have joined this summer if Jim/Mitch were in charge?

I know the reflexive answer is "hell no" (which is my first instinct), but this may be a case of franchise/location > who is running the front office for LBJ.
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LakesGnrLake · Star Player Joined: 07 Apr 2011 Posts: 1293

A lot of things had to come together for this to happen. Lebron knows where the good players are at, don't forget that for a second. He saw the Lakers had a good core coming up, and he had to see Lonzo in Summer League to make sure he was the real deal(he is). Lebron has always wanted to be a billion dollar athlete, so LA is always on his radar, but Lebron is the man. He isn't coming here while Kobe was here and couldn't leave Cleveland before winning a title for them. Once we won that title he was as good as gone and once Magic came in it was a done deal. I don't think he comes if Magic isn't here so give Magic props. Lebron knows he is on a team that will do anything to win.

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

governator · Retired Number Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 25086

that u Jerry?

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

Do it Mitch! · Star Player Joined: 04 Oct 2016 Posts: 1062

If the old guys were still running the show, D-Lo, Moz and Clarkson are still probably on the team. There’s a possibility they wouldn’t even have the cap space to sign a max free agent.

The team would be less attractive to free agents. Tough hypothetical to answer

4OnTheFloor · Star Player Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Posts: 1148

Previous front office couldn't even get a free agent meeting with Hassan Whiteside. Only reason why Aldridge met with us was out of respect for Kobe. I seriously doubt LeBron was thinking about joining that circus.

Dumhead · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:08 am Post subject:

Are we having a discussion about predestination vs. free-will actions of independent social agents?
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socalsp3 · Star Player Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Posts: 3502

with Jim there would be infighting and dysfunction and lack of direction. he'd be still clinging to moz deng and DLO.

2019 · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Dec 2014 Posts: 10805

IMO, he came into the NBA wanting to end up a Laker which was his childhood dream (obv based not he ESPN article he used to draw Laker and Cowboy logos in his notebooks).

However, there once Dr. Buss left things started to get progressively worse until Magic stepped in. LeBron's a smart guy, I doubt he would have jumped aboard that sinking ship/

So in sum.. my gut says he always wanted to be a Laker and given Magic and Rob, the timing is finically here.

AshesToAshes · Star Player Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Posts: 4837

No way he attaches himself to Jimbo and the nightmare of a FO he created.

to play with Mozdeng? no.
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GTL · Star Player Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 9839

I think he grew up a Laker fan to an extent. Another poster mentioned in another thread that he's a Cowboy and Yankees fan, so he must like winners. I can see him rooting for Kobe and Shaq's early 2000's Lakers during our 3-peat. I can also see him modeling his game more after Magic than Michael. It makes more sense that LBJ is the new Magic, and Kobe was Jordan. LeBron was interviewed on the View years ago and was asked who his favorite team to play against was, and he said the Lakers. He seems to step up his "flashiness" when playing in front of the Staples crowd as well. I think he's always wanted to be in the bright lights of LA, but circumstances never allowed it to happen. Well, here he is, and I really do believe he's going to make the best of it.
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LakesGnrLake · Star Player Joined: 07 Apr 2011 Posts: 1293

venturalakersfan · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 10:15 am Post subject:

I just wish we could have gotten him in his prime years. Miami and Cleveland will always have those.
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LakesGnrLake · Star Player Joined: 07 Apr 2011 Posts: 1293

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

quartzcharm · Starting Rotation Joined: 30 Mar 2016 Posts: 551

To answer the OP's question: No.

PHILosophize · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 10758

Great question. I think my overall answer would be no just because I think that Magic being in charge helped a lot, the fact that CLE was swept in the finals, etc definitely lined up for him jumping ship from CLE and joining LA.

That said, if the business side of things/his family's apparent preference for LA was something that was always there, I could see there being a certain inevitability to it. But the factors I mentioned previously made it a much clearer choice IMO.
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Ziggy · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 12712

I think living his life here post-retirement was already in his plans. But I don't think he had predetermined to finish his career as a Laker. I think he probably made that decision after Magic became pres.

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

I think winning the ring for the Cavs allowed the LA dream to come to realization.

I think Magic made it MUCH easier for him to come, but if we're talking along the line of the decision spectrum, IMO he doesn't come if he doesn't get a ring for the Cavs. His conscience was clear and his mission accomplished at that point.
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PHILosophize · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 10758

venturalakersfan · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:08 am Post subject:

LakerEric · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:10 am Post subject:

I actually had thought he would be a Laker the first time he left Cleveland. I really did but when he left for Cleveland from Miami...I thought the dream was over. I knew some inner circles within the NBA who told me he always dreamt of being a Laker. I was really adamant about it but it never happened until now. I want him to play strong until he's 40 like Steve Nash but continue to be healthy and that would be a wonderful proposition for the Lakers!
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Mamba Mentality · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:40 am Post subject:

If Jim/Mitch were still here, then no. The roster would be a mess and with all the salary cap issues we wouldn't even have enough room to sign him even if he wanted to.

FreakofNature · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:46 am Post subject:

I have always felt it. And certainly always hoped for it. Surprised many here did not feel the same way.