The reaction to LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers has been telling and even those closest to the franchise have taken notice.

LeBron James won a championship and set multiple records during his eight-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. But many felt that the emotional connection while wearing the purple and gold was vastly different from his time at different teams. Franchise legend Derek Fisher, who is deeply respected by the fan base, pointed out the difference.

“That like a lot of people in LA didn’t love LeBron’s time here, and it’s been confusing to me the reaction to him deciding not to return to LA,” said Fisher on Yahoo Sports Daily. “A lot of people have celebrated it and, you know, almost had a parade as though this is the greatest thing ever… I’m surprised at some of the reaction for sure, and yeah, I think people have moved on. A lot of fans have.”

Fisher’s admission cuts to the heart of a disconnect that defined LeBron’s entire Lakers tenure- fans had already emotionally checked out long before his departure became official.

“I think some of it, you think about the greats of the Lakers’ past; many of those guys were kind of born and raised as Lakers for the most part. So I think other stars felt more like they became who they were as Lakers, and I think a lot of Lakers fans had a difficult time receiving the fact that LeBron was already LeBron before he got here.”

That distinction matters. Lakers fans didn’t fall out of love with LeBron- they never fully fell in. The franchise’s greatest icons, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kobe Bryant, were drafted, shaped, and defined by the purple and gold. LeBron arrived in 2018 as a finished product, with three championships already on his resume. The emotional investment simply never took root the same way.

The 22x All-Star led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship, ending a decade-long title drought, while helping restore the franchise’s relevance after several losing seasons. The winning was real. The bond, for many fans, wasn’t.

But the meaning of winning for the Lakers is slightly different. Even Shaquille O’Neal spent only eight years with the Purple and Gold. However, his domination for the three-peat ranks higher in many fans’ minds.

Last week, even ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne pointed out the difference she has left since Bron’s exit.

“It was not like people clapped, people got their phones out, but it wasn’t like a real love. You know, LeBron James came here late in his career. People appreciated him to some extent, but I don’t think they really did.”

A certain fanbase even hated the ‘LeGM’ narrative that accompanied LeBron James’ arrival. No doubt the Anthony Davis trade was a huge hit, and it even led to a championship. But other moves, like Russell Westbrook’s, didn’t work out, and even the Kyrie Irving trade request left fans wondering.

Another possible reason for fans simply moving on is the emergence of Luka Doncic. The Lakers already have one of the greats of the game, who is just 27 years old.