The Los Angeles Lakers are currently turning heads in the NBA with an impressive streak, winning 20 out of their last 24 games. This performance has sparked a debate among fans about whether they’re true championship contenders, especially as they prepare for a challenging four-game road trip. Their journey kicks off this Saturday with a face-off against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.
Back in 2020, LeBron James and Anthony Davis spearheaded the Lakers to their 17th championship, putting them neck and neck with Boston for the most titles in NBA history. The Celtics took the lead last summer, but now, with the addition of Luka Doncic alongside James, the anticipation is building for another possible showdown between these legendary rivals. If James manages to lead the Lakers past the Celtics in the Finals, perhaps even the most traditional Laker fans might warmly accept the notion of his statue gracing Star Plaza.
Such recognition, however, is a hot topic, given that statues have traditionally been reserved for those who’ve spent most of their careers with the team. James is in his 22nd NBA season, but only his seventh with the Lakers. While he may have outscored Kobe Bryant, outmaneuvered Magic Johnson in assists, and out-rebounded Elgin Baylor, not all those achievements were as a Laker.
The perplexing part is that every other era of Lakers’ championships since their move from Minneapolis in 1960—starting with Jerry West and the 1972 squad—has a statue at Crypto.com Arena. Ignoring championship No. 17 in this tradition almost seems unthinkable. It’s a struggle to both celebrate such accomplishments and debate who should be honored for them.
Even beyond this quandary, there’s a broader question worth pondering: what do statues represent?
I distinctly remember the iconic unveiling of Joe Louis’s monument, “The Fist,” in downtown Detroit during my middle school days. At first glance, it struck me as purely about boxing. However, by high school, I learned about Louis’s birthplace in Lafayette, Alabama, and his family’s migration to Michigan—a story entwined with the rise of the KKK. It broadened my perspective on the Great Migration and helped me understand the Southern roots prevalent in my community. Over time, “The Fist” became less about boxing for me and more about the enduring spirit of Black Americans.
Similar feelings arise when I think of Pat Tillman’s statue, which I pass at Arizona Cardinal games. Joining the Army after 9/11, he turned down a lucrative NFL career, sacrificing everything. His statue tells a tale far beyond football. Each monument—whether of Tillman, Louis, or Oscar De La Hoya, the East L.A. native who became a global sensation—captures a narrative richer than sports alone.
Statues at Star Plaza typically honor those with deep ties to the Lakers. Shaquille O’Neal spent eight seasons with the team, reaching the Finals in half of them. In contrast, James has faced early playoff exits during half his Laker tenure. To some purists, placing his statue among Lakers legends might feel off.
Yet, pondering broader questions—what do statues signify?—helps navigate such debates.
James’s life story is as compelling as his career. Born to a teenage mother, facing homelessness, and moving numerous times before turning nine, his rise from such adversity is remarkable. By high school, he was already “The Chosen One” according to Sports Illustrated. Today, he holds stakes in prominent sports teams and is the first NBA player to become a billionaire while actively playing. Remarkably, even at 40, he is seen as a leader capable of guiding a team to glory.
This road trip will test such expectations against formidable champions like Milwaukee, Denver, and Boston, known for their home-court prowess. The outcome will either buoy or temper Laker fans’ championship aspirations. Teaming with Doncic, fresh from leading Dallas to the Finals, James seems set to add more chapters to his storied legacy. If the Lakers achieve their 18th title, equaling Boston again, his place in Lakers folklore is sealed.
And maybe, in that scenario, the sight of the NBA’s top scorer’s likeness at the plaza will be celebrated by the staunchest of fans.
Interestingly, as time passes, I find myself viewing him as more than just a basketball legend. LeBron James epitomizes one of the most powerful renditions of the American Dream our nation could witness.
