LeBron James let the media know that he had time to address the rumors and criticisms on Saturday.
LeBron Set The Record Straight About 2018 Decision
The NBA legend took to X in response to claims made by Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN one day prior. In her report, Shelburne alleged that James' decision to join the Lakers in 2018 was partially due to the "care they showed during the final seasons of [Kobe Bryant's] career." She went on to claim that James relished the idea of such a storied franchise treating its players lavishly.
In his post, LeBron James illustrated greater perspective for his reasoning to make the move to SoCal.
"Came to the Lakers cause I wanted to help Jeanie win championships, bring that Spark back to the Lakers and see my family blossom in SoCal," he wrote. "Why would I make a decision on how someone else is treated. Mama always said 'Stay out of grown folks business.'"
The evidence to support James' claims is fairly substantial. Prior to his arrival in 2018, the Lakers had missed the playoffs in five straight seasons. James and Los Angeles have reached the postseason four times in the six years since, winning a championship during the NBA's Bubble season.
James Expressed Excitement About Playing with Son
As for his blossoming family, James recently watched from the bench as his son, Bronny, played his first NBA preseason minutes for the Lakers. Los Angeles drafted Bronny in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Lebron described the "pure joy" he felt from getting to play with his son during the Lakers' media day earlier in the week.
"When it comes to him (Bronny), I'm just at a loss for words. (I'm) just super proud of him to be able to get to this point," LeBron said while his son sat next to him. "He's a man, and he's ready to go.
"It's just so joyous to be able to see him grow and to know what he has been through over the last couple of years. And to just use that as motivation every single day and to get back and get to where he wanted to be."
