There has been a lot of talk lately about LeBron James and the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Multiple reports have suggested that there is a power struggle behind the scenes, with King James increasingly unhappy with the way the team is being run and the lack of urgency from the front office.
Some have said that the Lakers are determined to keep James and will give him anything he wants to keep him happy while others say that simply isn’t happening.
This has led critics to say that James is accumulating too much power, a move they say is ill-advised and short-sighted.
Of course, others are comparing James to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, stating that Bryant never made such intense demands when he led the team.
The “we never gave Kobe as much power as we’ve given LeBron!” leak gets so much funnier when you remember Kobe’s agent is literally the GM of the Lakers.
If Kobe didn’t have as much power as LeBron it’s because Rob Pelinka wasn’t as good at his job as Rich Paul is.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) February 23, 2022
But as NBA reporter Sam Quinn pointed out, Bryant also had a lot of power when he was front-and-center in LA – in fact his agent and close friend Rob Pelinka is now the GM of the team.
Quinn added: “If Kobe didn’t have as much power as LeBron it’s because Rob Pelinka wasn’t as good at his job as Rich Paul is.”
The truth is both Bryant and James have a lot of sway over their team – and that shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Leaders Need Power
James and Bryant are different in many ways but they both have one similarity: both were easily the most important part of the Lakers.
This is what leads to the team doing whatever they must to appease them.
There were times when Bryant flexed his muscles – like when he demanded the team make changes or else he’d head to the Clippers.
James might be doing the same thing and that’s not surprising – and not anything new.
It’s a tactic that powerful, All-Star players in the NBA have done time and time again.
And it’s worked.
NEXT: LeBron James Has Made His Future Plans Clear