NBA: Why move to Los Angeles Lakers is a risk for LeBron James?

It had become apparent. LeBron James, the best basketball player of his generation, was no happier in Cleveland. In the city where he came back four years ago as a lost son.

The atmosphere of the team, poisoned, seemed to be splendid. On Monday morning, he became known: The "King" pbades – Los Angeles Lakers. A decision that raises high hopes, but also carries risks – for James and the Lakers.

A few minutes after the announcement of the change, many fans gathered in front of the L.A. Lakers Arena to sing, cheer and dance. The #TheKingIsHere hashtag has channeled euphoria into social networks – and basketball legends have also expressed themselves.

"Welcome to the family," tweeted Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest in the history of the Lakers. His statement resembled a season remission: Since the great days of Bryant, since the title won in 2009 and 2010, he had been down regularly in the City of Angels. More recently, the Lakers missed the play-offs for five consecutive years – a historic drought for the club. People want a new hero, a purple gold superstar. It is found now: The James era begins

The king wants titles

Even though fans already dream of trophies, the Lakers have not concluded a title subscription with the l '. James' commitment. This can only be a beginning: at present, the Lakers team still consists of James, young talents and clbadic players. But to succeed in the NBA today, you need more than a dominant superstar.

Nobody knows better than James himself: Eleven of his 15 years in the NBA have spent the 33-year-old in Cleveland, where he was mostly the only star (reliable). Although the striker has reached the finals five times, he has won the title only once, despite outstanding individual performances.

Already in 2010, James decided to move to Miami, where he formed the "Big Three" with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and won two titles in four years. As the sporting outlook in Miami worsened, he returned to Cleveland (2014). Now, four years later, this game is repeated – in favor of the Lakers.

The previous career of the four "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) shows: James' greed for securities is greater than his loyalty. Sporting, he is mainly concerned about his legacy, especially the "GOAT duel" with Michael Jordan, which will depend in particular on the number of championships won.

Myth L.A. Lakers

With these ambitions, but also with his personality, James is no better in the same place than after L.A. Only the Boston Celtics have won more championships (17) than the Lakers (16). And despite recent failures, the Lakers still surround a glamorous aura.

James, who already owns two homes and a production company in Los Angeles, was happy to follow the call – even though the sportsman is still in the start-up phase. The next big players, such as Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, should follow, no later than next summer. However, the best teams from the West, Golden State and Houston, are still far away.

James also makes a bet on his own body. The superstar is already 33 years old, but instead of settling for better-off teams like Boston or Philadelphia, he signed for four years and $ 154 million in Los Angeles – with the risk of burning a precious year without real chances of title. ,

Overall, James seems convinced that he will be able to lead the Lakers into a new spring in the fall of his career. At his side, promising youngsters like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram or the German NBA hope that Moritz Wagner could take the next step. Or the franchise exchanges its talents against seasoned All Stars, good shooters or powerful defenders.

If the expected success is not fast enough, the shot could have the opposite effect: then the Lakers would probably lose their king, and the king a precious time.