Los Angeles Lakers: What LeBron James must do to be a Laker for life

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has played for three different NBA teams in his career but wants to complete the rest of his life as a Laker.

In one of his recent Instagram Live video streams, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James declared that he wants to “be a Laker for the rest of my life.” When asked what franchise he would never play for, James was quoted as saying, “I’m still playing, man. I gotta keep all my options open, man. But right now, I’ll tell you one thing. I don’t want to go nowhere besides be here, baby. Be a Laker for the rest of my life.”

There have been few players to truly be held in the eyes of the fans as “Lakers for life” so it raises the question of what LeBron would have to do to be regarded as a true Laker for life.

Win at least one championship

For James to be a Laker for life, he must be the one to end the current championship cold streak that has fallen over the franchise. The more titles he wins the higher be will ascend into the ranks of “Greatest Lakers ever”. He is looking poised to possibly win his first title with the franchise this year.

LeBron now has the Los Angeles Lakers atop the Western Conference standings and before the suspension of the NBA had just come off knocking off both the Clippers and the Bucks in back to back games.

If the hot streak sticks with James and the Lakers after the suspension of the league is lifted there is a good chance that he will be bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Los Angeles for the purple and gold.

Make an impact in the organization/community

LeBron already has his foot in the door with this achievement as well. He has on multiple occasions given shoes to local kids after games and handed out countless autographs to adoring fans.

Also, LeBron was there as both a leader and a metaphorical shoulder for the city of Los Angles to cry on in the tragic passings of Nipsey Hussle, Kobe Bryant, and Giana Bryant. All of which were legends in the city of Los Angeles.

If LeBron continues to be a major figure for the city or helps out Los Angles like he helps out Akron, it will establish him as an LA and a Lakers legend.

Create timeless memories that stick with fans

With both of the teams James has been with before, he has had memorable career-defining moments that have established legend around his name in the cities he played in. Whether it be the 2016 Finals or Game 6 against the Celtics in Miami, these key moments that James stepped up to the plate when his team needed him most made him legendary in those cities.

As I covered in my article of LeBron’s most iconic moments with the Lakers, none of his top games or events with the Lakers live up to those that he had with Miami or Cleveland.

However, with this year being the first time LeBron is in the playoffs with the Los Angeles Lakers, it is safe to assume we will see some amazing performances and late-game heroics out of the King.