Lakers News: Why Bill Plaschke Discredits LA's 2020 Title in Latest Piece
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Since superstar LeBron James joined the Lakers back in 2018, the team has been seen as squarely in the mix of contenders. With James on the team, the Lakers have done what they can to put a strong team on the floor, even if it hasn't worked out each season.
His tenure with the Lakers is generally seen as a success, especially since he did deliver a title to the organization in 2020. But one prominent member of the Los Angeles community doesn't view it that way.
Longtime columnist Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times recently wrote an article where he discredited the Lakers 2020 title and even called for James to leave the team. In the eyes of Plaschke, James is doing more damage to the Lakers at this current time.
"In James’ first five seasons here, he has won one COVID-bubbled title and advanced past the first round once, and that’s it. He hasn’t exactly been a title creator so far, and that’s unlikely to change in what is probably the last two springs of his career."
To Plaschke's credit, the Lakers have underperformed since James joined the team. But that isn't entirely his fault.
Injuries have taken their toll on the organization each season, and there were a few poor roster decisions as well. But to call James a non-title creator seems a bit harsh. After all, he was the first star player to take a chance on Los Angeles when nobody else would for years.
Plaschke goes on to say that because the Lakers title was won in Florida in 2020, it doesn't mean as much to the city. I'd argue that the 2020 title meant a lot more to some than other titles.
"As for the fans, James awes, but he doesn’t quite connect. That 2020 title was won entirely in Florida, meaning Los Angeles has never personally seen James lead this team to a title, and that matters. He’s no Magic. He’s no Kobe. He’s not even Kareem. He could leave and the town would quickly get over it."
People were struggling in 2020 due to the pandemic, and the Lakers winning gave them hope. It gave them something to focus on other than the reality of the world. It gave them a sense of normalcy.
Yes, it wasn't the most conventional title. But it still matters and counts like the rest of them. To discredit the work put in by the players and coaching staff is wrong.
Criticism of James may be fair, but to take aim at the title isn't the way to go. The 2020 title brought the Lakers back from the dead, and James deserves much of that credit.
