For a franchise that has been home to some of the greats in the game, the Los Angeles Lakers are familiar with emotional goodbyes.
From Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthn and then the next generation with Kobe Bryant and Shaquile O’Neal, all memorable eras come to an end.
The end of the LeBron James era could now be ahead for a franchise that has 17 NBA titles, including 12 during their time in Los Angeles.
James says he is undecided about the road ahead, but he does have options. He can retire after a record 23 NBA seasons, return to the Lakers for one more run at matching his 2020 title with the team or move on for one last hurrah in another uniform.
Forget the tired best-player debate over whether James or Michael Jordan sits atop an imaginary throne. James’ career arc shows that he is among the best ever.
From the NBA pushing James to the forefront of the league at age 19 to fulfilling an impressive legacy with four NBA titles and four MVP awards, James has earned the right to make whatever move he sees fit.
So what comes next? James is not ready to decide.
“Yeah, so, I mean what my future (holds) — I don’t know, obviously,” James said after the Lakers were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I mean, this is obviously still fresh from obviously losing and I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know what the future holds for me obviously as it stands right now tonight.
“I said last year after we lost, I think to Minnesota, to go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them and then when the time comes, obviously you guys will know what I decide to do.”
RETIREMENT
James has nothing left to prove. To anybody. He is one of the greats ever. If he wants to watch future NBA games with a cigar and a bottle of red wine from his back patio from now on, he has earned it.
In addition to four titles and four MVPs, James also has been named NBA Finals MVP four times and has been named an All-Star 22 times.
When James started the season while out with sciatica, the old man jokes wrote themselves. He ended up getting the last laugh, even without a run to the Finals.
RETURN TO THE LAKERS
Consider this: James averaged 20.9 points this season as his team’s third scoring option. He added 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games while doing what nobody has ever done by playing in a 23rd season.
And when the team’s top two scoring options went down with injuries down the stretch, James moved back into the lead dog role and got the Lakers into the second round.
Said James: “To be able to thrive in that (third option) role and then have to step back into the role that I’ve been accustomed with over my career or my life playing this sport and be able to thrive under that and then just my teammates allowing me to lead them under extreme circumstances, I thought that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career.”
FIND A NEW CHALLENGE
If James were to put on a different uniform for one last hurrah, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have been mentioned as best fits.
A farewell tour with the Cavaliers would be fitting, with James back in his home state with a playoff contender. It would be his third tour with the franchise, but first where he can let others carry the heaviest load. Unless it turns out that he has to do it.
A run with the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry would be must-see hoops, provided that both stars can stay healthy. While James had sciatica last season, Curry had a chronic sore knee. It would give older guys everywhere a team to cheer for.
