Austin Reaves just dropped a truth bomb, telling Melissa Rohlin of the California Post why Lakers fans might have actually “hated” LeBron James before he ever even wore the purple and gold. This isn’t just some casual take; Reaves dove deep into the unique history that shaped how the city viewed its newest superstar, a history tied directly to one of the greatest to ever play the game.
The “Kobe is Better” Mentality Was Real
According to Reaves, the “Bron situation was a little different” when compared to other Laker legends. Why? Because LeBron and Kobe Bryant weren’t just great players; they “were battling for the best player in the NBA for multiple years.” Think about that rivalry, the endless debates, the pure fire of competition. It wasn’t just about who was better on paper, it was about bragging rights, and for Lakers fans, those rights belonged firmly to Kobe. Reaves straight up said, “Lakers fans at the time probably hated LeBron.” Yeah, *hated*. It’s a strong word, but when you’re caught in the middle of a generational rivalry, that’s the kind of passion it ignites. While Reaves stressed that fans “didn’t accept him when he was here” isn’t true, he added, they “still probably had the ‘Kobe is better’ type of mentality.” That’s a heavy shadow to play under, even for LeBron James.
Luka Dončić Gets A Different Kind of Welcome
Contrast that with Luka Dončić’s arrival. Reaves points out that there’s no similar baggage with Luka, saying he was “kind of after Kobe.” There wasn’t this direct, head-to-head battle for league supremacy that forced fans to pick a side. Because of that, fans “don’t have a reason not to embrace him like a Kobe or someone else who was a Laker legend.” The Lakers certainly showed that embrace this summer. They made it abundantly clear they’re building the franchise around Dončić for the foreseeable future, making the big move of letting James walk in free agency. They even went out and added players specifically picked to fit their new star’s playing style. It’s a fresh start, free from the ghosts of legendary rivalries.
This Wednesday night, get ready to see what this means on the court. The new-look Lakers are making their 2026-27 regular-season debut against the Golden State Warriors, rolling out a revamped starting five. Keep an eye on Reaves, Dončić, and Walker Kessler. This isn’t just a season opener; it’s the unveiling of an entirely new era built around Luka, one that hopefully sparks the same kind of legendary love that Kobe inspired, but without the historical animosity LeBron faced.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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