Lakers Fans Booing LeBron James’ Decision to Sign with 76ers Are ‘Hypocrites,’ Says Former Champion

One of the reasons that indirectly led LeBron James to walk away from the Los Angeles Lakers was that he felt the organization took him for granted despite what he had brought them.

Years of league-leading revenue, a championship, and a legacy later, the 41-year-old still feels that he was unappreciated. This was compounded by claims that Governor Jeanie Buss and the rest of the top brass secretly loathed him.

There were also indications that the team’s fans were losing interest in him and were now blaming James for gobbling up cap space. They felt that with Luka Doncic there, and the veteran relegated to third-string, there was no need for him to stay and impede the team.

After he left, many of those Lakers fans rejoiced. When GM Rob Pelinka brought in multiple players from the cap space James left behind, they celebrated, suggesting that the Akron native was holding them back.

If any Laker fans are offended or bothered by LeBron’s decision, they’re all a bunch of hypocrites, and they’re idiots… And every one of the Lakers fans, I’m sure, who boo him, if they do it, have made that decision themselves in their professional lives. So they boo LeBron because he decided to go work someplace else?… Let’s stop being so offended and sensitive about it.

Mychal Thompson said on ESPN LA

This was Klay Thompson‘s father, and someone who has an obvious link with the Lakers, having won two championships with them. Mychal Thompson believes that the same Lakers fans booing LeBron James for doing what he felt was right for him have done the same in their lives. That is why he labeled them as hypocrites.

LeBron James’ former teammate vouches for him

It is unlikely that Lakers fans would agree with Mychal Thompson, mostly because they feel that their team has become significantly better. They would still boo LeBron James since he took a massive pay cut to join another team, something they wanted him to do when he was with them.

While it was trades that dominated the conversations this offseason, there were many free agents available, with the father of three the most notable among them.

Some are still unsigned, as teams go through how to complete their roster once James made his decision. While many felt that he was unnecessarily holding up the league while teams had to complete their signings, a former player’s response to picking the best free agent spoke volumes about how much the veteran is valued.

While on the set of Run It Back, DeMarcus Cousins‘ colleague asked him to pick one of the two free agents he threw up. Every time, the center picked his former teammate.

LeBron finally made his free agency decision… would you have rather acquired him or another NBA player this offseason? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/vL3B6cS6Re

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) July 27, 2026

Picking the oldest player in the league over the likes of James Harden, Trae Young, Jalen Duren, and even Lakers star Austin Reaves was Cousins’ way of saying that LeBron James has greater value.

LeBron James is already putting in the work with new 76ers teammate

If LeBron James needs to find success with the Philadelphia 76ers to shut up his critics back in Los Angeles, he has to build chemistry with the players. He already has some playing experience with Joel Embiid from their days together at the Paris Olympics.

But apart from that, he needs to build a rapport with the other starters. He does know Tyrese Maxey well and has worked out with him before. That explains why both Klutch Sports clients decided to get together early and work out together.

The two new teammates establishing chemistry and working on concepts is important if the 76ers are to succeed. Maxey can relay to VJ Edgecombe easily once he gets a grasp of things.

Embiid might not take that much time to gel, considering his experience with James. The only domino remaining is Jaylen Brown. Since he is the other newcomer, the guard will have to work the hardest to get into a groove with his new teammates.

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