"I don't believe LeBron's a top 10 Laker": Rob Parker says LeBron James has had 'more bad than good' as an LA Laker
LeBron James will go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history, but analyst Rob Parker does not believe James is a top 10 Laker.
The LA Times recently released a list of the top 75 Lakers of all time, with LBJ tied for seventh with George Mikan.
However, Parker disagreed on "The Odd Couple" (from 3:30):
"The one surprise or shocker: I don't think LeBron belongs on that list."
Parker asserted that James should not belong in the top 10.
"Let me say this, I don't believe LeBron's a top 10 Laker. They did win a championship, but he's also not made the playoffs three of the four years that he's been here in Los Angeles. I'm not trying to take the championship away, but if you're a Laker fan out there, nobody thinks that was some special championship.
"They missed the playoffs three out of four years with LeBron. Shocking. LeBron has had more bad than good as a Laker. It's been more turmoil and more losing. I think LeBron's had more bad than good. And this plays more so than his other two stops. I can sing his praises in the other two. I don't think he's a top ten Laker of all time, not one iota."
James joined the LA Lakers in 2018 and is under contract until at least the 2023-24 season. He has a player option for the second year of his upcoming two-year contract.
Since James arrived in Los Angeles, the Lakers have only reached the playoffs twice. In 2020, they won the championship in the Orlando bubble. In 2021, the lost in the first round.
LeBron James and the LA Lakers are having a horrid 2022-23 season
Not many came into the season expecting greatness from the Lakers, especially because they did not make significant changes to their roster. However, the Lakers have performed well below expectations.
The Lakers (3-10) have the worst record to start a season in franchise history. They are 14th in the Western Conference standings.
Health was a factor coming into the season, but even with their key players, James and Anthony Davis, on the floor, victories have been hard to come by.
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LeBron James has missed the Lakers' last two games
On Nov. 9, James went into the locker room after playing for six minutes in the fourth quarter in a 114-101 loss to the LA Clippers. He attempted a drive through the lane while defended by Paul George and was fouled.
Although the foul was nothing excessive, James sustained an injury. While it was a groin injury that made him check out of the game, he has remained on the sidelines due to a leg injury.
The four-time NBA champ missed the game against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 7 due to a left foot injury, which is why he has sat out of the Lakers' last two games.
James is listed as day-to-day on the Lakers' injury report, which means he might be available to help the Lakers in their search for a fourth win. They will take on the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
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