LeBron James to get STATUES in LA and Cleveland? Lakers legend believes ‘it’s doable’
James Worthy thinks a LeBron James statue is doable outside Crypto.com Arena.
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LeBron James (Credit: ESPN)
James Worthy, a revered Los Angeles Lakers legend, has voiced a sentiment that has resonated among past players and fans alike for quite some time. In his statement, he highlighted the profound impact of LeBron James, crediting him for elevating the Lakers to unprecedented heights. As a testament to his monumental contributions, Worthy advocated for the installation of a James statue outside the Lakers Crypto.com Arena.
Worthy emphasizes that James’ achievements, such as surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record while playing for the Lakers and securing an NBA championship with the team, solidify his deservingness of a statue in Los Angeles. Worthy further suggests that considering James’ significant contributions to the Cleveland Cavaliers as well, he could also be honored with a statue in Cleveland.
“I think his overall greatness, when you have a player like LeBron, who breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in Los Angeles, does it as a Laker, then wins a championship as a Laker, you can’t argue that he could get a statue in Los Angeles…..And he could get one in Cleveland as well.” He added, “So, I don’t know about Miami, but bringing one to Cleveland and Los Angeles, it’s doable, in my opinion.”
The Lakers arena stands adorned with a collection of statues that proudly commemorate six revered figures who have made lasting contributions to the team’s legacy. These iconic individuals include basketball titans such as Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, and the legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn. Each statue serves as a powerful symbol, representing the indelible impact these remarkable individuals have had on the Lakers franchise.
LeBron James’ deservingness of a statue has been echoed by several players
Prominent figures within the basketball community, including former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal and former Cleveland star Austin Carr, have publicly voiced their support for LeBron James receiving a statue. In a conversation with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson of Bally Sports, O’Neal acknowledged the significance of LeBron’s championship victory with the Lakers during the unique bubble season, emphasizing the legitimacy of his accomplishment. O’Neal further highlighted LeBron’s remarkable achievement of becoming the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer, further strengthening the case for honoring him with a statue.
The Lakers organization has unequivocally expressed its intent to honor the late Kobe Bryant with a bronze statue, placing him among the esteemed icons already commemorated. Team president Jeanie Buss had previously confirmed their plans, with the timing of the statue’s creation contingent upon Bryant’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
While LeBron James is widely expected to receive a statue from the Cleveland Cavaliers, it is uncertain if the Los Angeles Lakers will follow suit. Although LeBron’s tenure with the Lakers hasn’t been as long as some of the franchise’s other legends, it’s worth acknowledging that his impact was pivotal in securing the team’s 17th championship banner. As the Lakers plan on the finalization of the statue, the timing and the iconic pose chosen for his statue remain the only unanswered questions.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)