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Mychal Thompson, a member of two of the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship teams from the Showtime era, sounds mystified by a simmering debate, in the wake of LeBron James’ decision to leave the Lakers.
Does LeBron James deserve a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers?
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“A statue? He deserves three statues, buddy,” Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. “Miami, Cleveland and L.A. That’s how great he is.
“He’s arguably the greatest player to ever play, along with Kareem and Michael Jordan. …He’s delivered championships in three different places that he’s played in. He deserves it. …No doubt about it.”
In addition to leading the Lakers to the title in 2020, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first title in franchise history and won two titles with the Miami Heat.
Thompson won championship rings with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988. He played alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two Laker legends who have bronze statues in Star Plaza.
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Thompson, a radio color commentator for the Lakers, knows there’s a faction of fans who oppose James’ getting a statue.
“I just think that people are being narrow-minded and basically don’t understand the game,” Thompson said. “That’s what I think of when I hear people say he doesn’t deserve a statue in front of Crypto.com. ‘He isn’t a Laker legend’ (say the critics).
“Obviously, I don’t think anybody will match Kareem and Magic and Kobe, those three and Jerry West. But LeBron is every bit as much as a legend as everybody else. A Laker legend.”
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Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec 28, 2021.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
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Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec 28, 2021.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
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Look back at…
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Publish date : 2026-07-01 20:36:00
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