​Los Angeles Lakers legend Derek Fisher seems puzzled by why some fans have celebrated LeBron James’ recent departure from the franchise as James pursues his next NBA destination. Fisher appeared on Yahoo Sports Daily this week to weigh in on the King’s exit from Los Angeles and to express his surprise at the public reaction to the move.
On the show, Fisher conveyed his confusion about why portions of Lakers nation have been rooting for James’ exit. “A lot of people in LA didn’t love LeBron’s time here… I think people have moved on,” he said. “A lot of fans have.” That sentiment from Fisher stands out, given that James delivered a championship to the Lakers and contributed significantly during his tenure with the organization. Yet, as Fisher noted, James isn’t a figure whose legacy with the franchise is defined by an uninterrupted, lifelong association, and he suggested that LeBron’s identity had already been established long before he arrived in Los Angeles, “became who they were as Lakers.”
“I think a lot of Lakers fans had a difficult time receiving the fact that LeBron was already LeBron before he got here,” Fisher added.
As time passes, it’s natural to wonder how James’ pulse on the Lakers’ history will be measured. The 2020 title, in particular, remains a high point that will still be looked at with reverence as the years go by. Yet, Fisher’s perspective provides a counterpoint to the broader public business of evaluating a superstar’s impact in a city where high expectations and deep loyalties often collide with the realities of roster management and franchise evolution.
Fisher’s reflections come at a moment when James’ career trajectory is unclear, with the veteran star seeking his next team and optioning a path forward that could lead him away from Los Angeles for good. It’s a reminder that, even with a championship pedigree and a lasting imprint on a storied franchise, a player’s legacy is not solely defined by championships or even by a single tenure. It’s also shaped by the way fans relate to him, the narratives that surround his time with a franchise, and the sense of belonging that the organization and its supporters attach to him.
As for James’ immediate future, the consensus around his career arc remains speculative. Our best guess is that he could decide to close his playing days with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a franchise with which he has had deep ties and a history of significant moments. But in the world of professional basketball, certainty is elusive, and even a veteran like James could unfold a path that defies simple expectations.
This piece originally appeared on For The Win, under a headline that captured the broader sentiment: Lakers fans happy to see LeBron leave? Derek Fisher doesn’t get it.