Insider Claims Lakers ‘Wasting Time’ With LeBron James
Following LeBron’s James’ epic Olympic campaign that culminated in MVP and a gold medal, LA Times Sports Columinst Bill Plaschke is concerned about the Lakers wasting his twilight years.
LeBron and his running mate Anthony Davis did bring a championship home to LA in 2020, but for much of LeBron’s time there, the front office has failed to make any significant moves.
And Plaschke says its time for the team to be held accountable.
“The dilemma facing LeBron James and the team that can’t possibly bring him a championship became starkly clear this summer when one of James’ shining career moments only caused Los Angeles to sigh,” Plaschke said. “What greatness. What a waste. What a gift. What a squander.”
He goes on to say that if the Lakers aren’t legitimate championship contenders in the next two seasons, it will be what he thinks to be “the biggest blown opportunity in the history of Los Angeles sports.”
“Worse than the Kings failing to win a Stanley Cup with Wayne Gretzky,” Plaschke explains. “Worse than the Clippers destroying Lob City. Worse than USC failing to play for a national title with Caleb Williams. And, yes, even worse than the Dodgers winning those 10 division championships with only one short-season title to show for it.”
Recently, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss admitted that she would pay LeBron more if not for salary cap restrictions, when she was asked about the risk of him playing in the Olympics.
Buss also added that she thinks LeBron James’ $48.7 million salary in the 2024-25 season is still a bargain for the organization.
“I think he’s so competitive, it’s really gotta be something that he wants to do,” Buss said on AM 570 LA Sports. “We always support our players in the decisions that they make in regards to playing for their national team or not.
“It was something that was important to LeBron, and yes, he is our highest-paid player, but he’s still a bargain to me. He’s absolutely amazing. We’re a salary cap league, there’s only so much that we can pay him. He brings us the notoriety in the league but also internationally. He’s a huge star. He’s a great leader for this team. What he does for our young players, what he does for the community, we’re proud to be partners with him.”
Russell Westbrook Addresses Viral Christian Braun No. 0 Jersey Rumor
Russell Westbrook has directly addressed the report that he asked third-year guard Christian Braun if he could wear his No.0 jersey in Denver.
DNVR Sports reporter Harrison Wind said on X that, “Hunter Tyson will wear #5 this season after giving #4 to Russell Westbrook. There was an inquiry by Westbrook into wearing #0, I’m told, but Christian Braun didn’t budge. Tyson gave Westbrook #4 free of charge.”
The news went viral on social media and Russ has since denied the claim on his Instagram story.
“Let’s please leave our young star alone,” Westbrook wrote. “[Braun] and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I didn’t want, inquire about, or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a ‘new’ number.
“The excitement of the new season has already begun, and unfortunately I know that means the offload of many false stories. Not today! [Braun] and I are locked in and ready to get things rockin’ in the mile high city!”
Russ has worn No.0 in 15 of his 16 seasons in the league.
He wore No.4 in his singular season with the Wizards during the 2020-21 season.
Braun wore a No.0 jersey when he played for Blue Valley Northwest in Overland Park, Kansas.
The third-year guard then wore the No. 2 jersey during his three college seasons at Kansas, but switched back to No.0 when he selected by the Nuggets as the 21st overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft.
Braun is expected to become a starter for the Nuggets this upcoming season after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure from the team.
In will be interesting to see how Westbrook fares with the Nuggets, after their star center Nikola Jokic reportedly endorsed the idea of signing for the nine-time All-Star.
