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Lakers Legend Sends Blunt Message to LeBron James Amid Retirement Talks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 3:39 PM ET

NBA superstar LeBron James has been with three teams throughout his career, and although he’s a won at least one championship with each, the problem is that he was never there long enough to forge a true legacy.

He won his first two championships with the Miami Heat, then returned home to win a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now he remains with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James was the hometown hero in Cleveland, also doubling as the best player, so that’s the only location where he is immortalized.

There has been a ton of discussion over the past few years about whether the four-time champions is a Lakers legend and should receive a statue, so former Los Angeles shooting guard Byron Scott chimed in.

“One championship in six, seven years… I think if he gets another one then he has a chance. But right now, if you look at the players that have statues… these are long lifers. They’ve been with the Lakers for almost their entire career and they’ve had multiple championships,” said Scott.

Byron Scott doesn’t think LeBron deserves a statue with the Lakers

“No, no statue. One championship in six, seven years — I don’t know how many years he’s been in L.A. right now, but I think if he gets another one then he has a chance. But right now, if you look at the players… pic.twitter.com/HVPrR2wJof
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 22, 2025

If James were to be with almost any other franchise for as long as he’s been in Los Angeles, then he would probably be a legend for that team.

The problem is that the Lakers have had so many players like point guard Magic Johnson and the late, great Kobe Bryant, who spent their entire careers in Los Angeles and built dynasties there.

There’s no doubt that James has had a great tenure with the Lakers, but their history is too rich for his stint to have made any tangible impact on the team. His fans may try to put him alongside the Lakers greats, but the actual legends will have none of it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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