Inner circles described Jeanie Buss’s private frustration over LeBron James‘  influence in the LA Lakers. Klutch Sports, which also managed Anthony Davis, in particular, became a target for the governor. She disapproved of Bron being called a “franchise savior”. Interestingly enough, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes’ latest bombshell on Buss and the Lakers has become a case study for James’ supporters.

However, even the voices that rarely speak in favor of the 41-year-old have spoken up. For example, ESPN’s veteran analyst, Stephen A. Smith. In the latest edition of First Take, the 58-year-old downplayed the idea of abuse of power, arguing that the agent’s actions were normal industry behavior rather than something excessive or improper.

“If you have some muscle, you’re going to flex it from time to time to ensure that your tenure is as successful as it possibly can be,” Smith said. He explained that ‘powerful’ agents, like Rich Paul, often apply firm pressure to protect their interests, and while such tactics may feel forceful, they are common practice and not illegal or unethical.

In the meantime, Smith dropped another bombshell of an opinion. “This notion that Rich Paul is some kind of villain because Klutch Sports was wielding its power, and it was leaning on LeBron James to do it. I will remind you, the Lakers had really, really, really regressed.” 

According to Stephen A. Smith, the team’s legacy and elite reputation, which positioned them as one of the top two of all time, ensured they never really lost their standing. Nonetheless, he introduces essential moderation.

With LeBron’s arrival, the decline was reversed, relevance was restored, and credibility was revived. Consequently, his legacy was significant, and his influence facilitated a quicker recovery, improved perception, and restored competitive balance throughout the league.

Smith’s argument is validated by the Bubble Era championship. Looking back at the seasons between the Lakers’ last two NBA championships, it’s clear LeBron James acted as a “franchise savior,” despite Jeanie Buss’s denial.

Lakers transition from Kobe Bryant era to LeBron James era

During the 2010-11 through 2018-19 seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers experienced a tumultuous era, marked by a shift from Kobe Bryant’s command to LeBron James’ presence, all within a chaotic environment. Following their 2010 championship, Kobe dealt with injuries, Pau Gasol experienced difficulties, and the team suffered from inconsistent coaching with figures like Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni.

The team’s record fell drastically from 57 wins and 25 losses in the 2010-11 season to 17 wins and 65 losses in the 2015-16 season, resulting in six consecutive seasons without making the playoffs. Trades that didn’t work out, such as the one involving Chris Paul and Lamar Odom, negatively impacted team cohesion. Furthermore, the aging of key players and Kobe Bryant’s extensive playing time hastened the team’s decline, causing potential free agents to hesitate about signing with the franchise.

Roster mismanagement worsened struggles as the 2016 salary cap spike led to costly contracts for Luol Deng at $72M over four years and Timofey Mozgov at $64M over four years. These signings clogged the cap and offered little production.

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Players like Matt Barnes noted that front office dysfunction under Mitch Kupchak deterred talent. By 2018, the Lakers were 37-45. Free agents prioritized contenders likethe Warriors or Spurs. Thus, leaving the franchise in a prolonged rebuilding phase despite the purple and gold legacy.

LeBron James’ 2018 signing changed the trajectory, ending the six-year playoff drought and restoring credibility. He was averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, while uplifting Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma.

His presence enabled the Anthony Davis trade, producing the 2020 bubble title with LeBron as Finals MVP. He influenced culture, endorsing Frank Vogel and embracing accountability. Since 2018, the Lakers have held a 127-76 record in their played games.

Therefore, one could say that LeBron James truly rewrote the Los Angeles Lakers’ fate at his arrival. He turned chaos into culture. Doubt into drive, and helped the team recover their championship-winning core. Therefore, amidst criticism on accountability and Jeanie Buss’s reported discontent, Stephen A. Smith sees through the noise.