LeBron James is the King of LA now, no matter what Paul George, Kawhi Leonard or even James’s new teammate Anthony Davis believe in their hearts. Those guys are great but there can only be one king — except back in the days when there were two…
Yes, Kobe Bryant stayed (and won two more titles) and Shaquille O’Neal left (and won one more chip) but there was a time when both men were together the kings of Los Angeles, winning three straight titles and taking on all comers. That’s the inspiration that James is mining for the upcoming season.
In a dramatic photo of James in a long-tie headband, he draws attention to the numbers and names on the wall in Lakers land — No. 24 and No. 34. That’s Kobe and Shaq, of course.
Can these two do the same?
James knows the town still belongs to those two names, Shaq and Kobe, until he ushers in a Lakers title of his own. They are the “immortal men” in his post: “Living Amongst Immortal Men who watching over me on the daily! Blessed.”
And James says they are watching over him, that their eyes are on James as he pursues success in his new West Coast kingdom. Good company. Only a guy like LeBron could remain unintimidated and merely inspired. Rise, King!
