The King joins the purple and gold
In by far the biggest NBA story of the summer, superstar Lebron James has taken his talents to the storied Los Angeles Lakers. The three-time champion and four-time NBA MVP signed a contract this past summer, making an announcement on July 2 and officially signing his four year, $153.3 million contract on July 10.This move is a dream come true for Laker fans.The signing of Lebron James puts the Lakers back in championship contention as James has been to eight consecutive NBA finals series’, and is a proven winner. As a franchise with 16 championships, second only to the Boston Celtics’ 17, there has always been championship or bust aspirations for the Lakers. Since the last championship victory in 2010, the Lakers have failed to maintain their championship competitiveness due to the downfall and retirement of Kobe Bryant as well as poor management. With new front office additions Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who won five championships with the Lakers in the 1980s, and Rob Pelinka, two people with successful pasts, with the addition of Lebron James sets up a winning future.Along with the signing of James, the tactical Johnson and Pelinka have used their basketball expertise to add some seasoned veterans with championship pedigree. Rajon Rondo, Javale Mcgee, and Lance Stephenson can bring veteran experience that will help Lebron and young guns Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma propell the Lakers back into title contention. Johnson and Pelinka have stressed that they, in collaboration with James, have put together a group that can compete for a championship. The rise of the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, who play just up the coast in Oakland, has critics skeptical on how the Lakers, or any other team, can compete with the star studded Warriors.The Lakers have done something that other competitors have strayed away from: being patient and winning when the time comes. The front office has made transactions that give the Lakers an estimated $38 million for next summer’s free agency to pursue superstar players like Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and many other high talent players. These players all have tremendous accolades including multiple all-star selections, all NBA selections and individual awards like Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.The addition of one of these superstars to a team with an undisputed top five player of all time in Lebron James, along with upcoming young stars in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma, is undoubtedly a team that is more than capable of taking down any team in the NBA. As a Laker fan myself I can say that the future is as bright as its been in a long long time. Lakers fans should be excited for what the future of the greatest franchises in sports holds.