In a city where basketball legends are immortalized in bronze outside of Crypto.com Arena, the question of who earns a statue is as sacred as it is divisive. This week, former Lakers head coach and three-time NBA champion Byron Scott set off a firestorm when he declared that LeBron James, one of the greatest players in NBA history, has not yet earned the right to stand alongside Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.
“No, no statue,” Scott said bluntly. “One championship in six, seven years — I don’t know how many years he’s been in L.A. right now, but I think if he gets another one, then he has a chance. But right now, if you look at the players that have statues in front of Crypto.com, these are long lifers. They’ve been with the Lakers for almost their entire career, and they’ve had multiple championships. I think the only one that didn’t is probably Jerry West. But other than that — Jerry West spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he’s the logo for a reason. So, right now, at this particular point — and I’m a big LeBron James fan for what he’s been able to do on and off the court — but statue? No.”
A Stunning Verdict
Scott’s comments land with particular weight given his history with the Lakers. Drafted by Los Angeles in 1983, he spent over a decade with the team, winning three titles during the Showtime era. His opinion is not that of a random pundit, but of a man who knows the franchise inside and out.
The suggestion that LeBron — who led the Lakers to a championship in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened “bubble” season — has not yet cemented his legacy in Los Angeles stings, particularly for fans who view him as a transformative figure. LeBron’s arrival in 2018 reinvigorated a floundering franchise and restored the Lakers to championship relevance. But for Scott, one title is not enough to justify a permanent tribute.
The Standard of Bronze
Outside of Crypto.com Arena, the statues stand as monuments to loyalty, longevity, and greatness. Magic Johnson, Shaq, Kareem, Elgin Baylor, and Kobe Bryant are among those immortalized — players whose identities are intertwined with the Lakers across decades.
By contrast, LeBron has spent the bulk of his career in Cleveland and Miami. Though his impact on the Lakers is undeniable, Scott argues that a statue should represent a deeper, long-term bond with the franchise. “The players who have statues were lifers,” Scott emphasized. “LeBron is one of the greatest of all time, but when you talk about the Lakers, he’s not in that same category yet.”
Fans Fire Back
Unsurprisingly, Scott’s remarks have ignited a passionate response. Some fans and analysts agree with his assessment, noting that LeBron’s six seasons in purple and gold pale in comparison to Magic’s 13 or Kobe’s 20. “A statue should mean you are the Lakers,” one fan wrote online. “LeBron is a legend, but he’s not our legend.”
Others, however, see Scott’s position as overly harsh. They argue that LeBron’s influence extends beyond championships — that his cultural impact, leadership during the 2020 bubble season, and contributions to the city of Los Angeles should count just as heavily. “He brought us a title during one of the most difficult years in sports history,” one supporter tweeted. “That alone deserves a statue.”
The Larger Legacy
The debate raises a broader question: what does it mean to earn a statue? Is it about winning multiple championships, or is it about embodying the identity of a franchise? For players like Kobe and Magic, the answer was both. For LeBron, whose legacy is spread across three franchises, the calculus is different.
There is no denying his place in the pantheon of NBA greats. He is the league’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time MVP, and a global ambassador for the sport. Yet, Scott’s comments underscore a tension between being an all-time great and being a Laker great.
A Career Still in Progress
At 39, LeBron is still defying age and expectations, averaging near-elite numbers while leading the Lakers into playoff contention. Another championship, as Scott suggested, could alter the conversation dramatically. Two titles in Los Angeles, coupled with his off-court contributions, might be enough to earn a bronze likeness.
But until that happens, the debate rages on. Should one of the greatest players ever be honored in every city he’s touched? Or does the Lakers’ storied tradition demand a higher threshold?
No Easy Answer
Byron Scott’s blunt “no” has reignited one of the most sensitive debates in Laker Nation: how do you measure greatness in a franchise defined by legends? For LeBron James, the answer may depend on how his twilight years in Los Angeles unfold.
For now, his place among the immortals outside Crypto.com Arena remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: whether you agree with Scott or not, his comments have forced fans to confront an uncomfortable truth — that even for a player of LeBron’s stature, the path to bronze is not guaranteed.
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