LeBron James is not yet in Lakers statue territory, according to the three-time NBA champion.

In the pantheon of basketball legends, few names echo with the resonance of LeBron James. A four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, and the league’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron has left an indelible mark on every franchise he’s touched. But in Los Angeles—where legends are enshrined not just in memory but in bronze outside of Crypto.com Arena—a debate is simmering. According to one three-time NBA champion, LeBron James, for all his accolades, hasn’t quite earned his statue outside the home of the Lakers. Not yet.

It’s a sentiment that may surprise some, especially considering the magnitude of LeBron’s global influence and on-court achievements. But in L.A., where greatness is measured not only by numbers but by legacy in purple and gold, even icons must meet a certain bar.

The conversation around LeBron’s statue status gained momentum after a recent podcast appearance by former NBA forward and three-time champion [Insert Name Here—placeholder if quoting someone specific like Byron Scott, James Worthy, or Stephen Jackson]. During the appearance, the former player was asked whether LeBron should eventually be immortalized in bronze beside the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.

His response was measured but firm:

“He’s had an incredible career—one of the greatest to ever play the game. But when we talk Lakers statues, it’s about what you did as a Laker. LeBron’s not there yet. He’s done some things, but it’s not Kobe, it’s not Magic, it’s not Shaq. Those guys built dynasties here.”

The quote went viral almost immediately, igniting a firestorm of takes from fans, analysts, and former players. Is it fair to say LeBron hasn’t done enough in L.A. to warrant a statue? Or is this simply the kind of gatekeeping that underestimates his contributions to the Lakers franchise?

LeBron James signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2018, at a time when the storied franchise was in turmoil. The team had missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the longest drought in its history. LeBron’s arrival signaled a shift, but his first season was derailed by injury.

Then came 2020.

In the COVID-shortened season, LeBron led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship—tying them with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history. His partnership with Anthony Davis in the Orlando bubble proved dominant, and his Finals MVP performance solidified his place among Lakers champions.

But since then, it’s been a rocky ride. The Lakers have had three first-round exits and missed the playoffs altogether in the 2021-22 season. Injuries, roster turnover, and front-office missteps have plagued what many hoped would be a second Lakers dynasty.

When comparing LeBron’s Lakers tenure to the icons enshrined in bronze, the difference becomes clearer. Magic Johnson won five championships with the Lakers. Kareem, five as well. Shaquille O’Neal, three. And Kobe Bryant? Five titles, two Finals MVPs, 20 seasons in the purple and gold.

LeBron’s one championship in six seasons—while historic—isn’t quite on the same level numerically. Still, others argue that context matters.

Sportswriter and Lakers historian Jeff Pearlman weighed in on social media:

“If we’re being honest, the 2020 championship was one of the most unique and challenging in NBA history. LeBron led that team through a global pandemic, social unrest, and the tragedy of Kobe’s death. That title matters.”

Indeed, the 2020 run came just months after the tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others. LeBron was thrust into the emotional spotlight, offering leadership both on and off the court. He gave a stirring speech during the team’s first game back and later dedicated the championship to Kobe.

So, the question lingers—if statues are about legacy and impact, doesn’t LeBron’s role in bringing the Lakers back to glory during such a turbulent time count?

The Lakers, more than any other franchise, operate under a strict standard of greatness. Their retired numbers include the jerseys of players who not only won but changed the game. Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain—these aren’t just good players; they’re immortals.

This is why so many within Lakers Nation hesitate to anoint LeBron with statue honors just yet. Not because they doubt his greatness, but because the Lakers require a kind of loyalty and longevity that LeBron’s time in L.A. may not fully reflect.

James Worthy, Lakers legend and current analyst, has spoken on this before:

“LeBron’s one of the greatest, no doubt. But to be a statue guy here, you gotta bleed purple and gold. You gotta give us your career, not just a few years.”

That kind of perspective puts LeBron in a unique position—caught between his incredible achievements and the rigid traditions of a franchise with arguably the richest history in sports.

Still, even if his on-court contributions are debated, there’s no questioning LeBron’s cultural and economic impact on the Lakers brand.

Since his arrival, Lakers ticket prices surged, viewership climbed, and the franchise’s valuation skyrocketed. LeBron’s SpringHill Company, his activism, and his presence in Hollywood have cemented him as a transcendent figure in L.A.

He’s played a role in mentoring younger teammates, building team culture, and elevating the Lakers’ global reach. He passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record while wearing the Lakers uniform—a historic moment that prompted some fans to argue that LeBron has already “earned his statue.”

Moreover, the franchise has built marketing campaigns around him, launched global outreach projects, and benefited immensely from his presence.

Former Lakers GM Jerry West, though famously distant from the current front office, once noted:

“LeBron James elevated the Lakers back into the global conversation. That alone is a form of greatness.”

Polls and social media threads paint a mixed picture. A 2025 Twitter/X poll from ESPN LA Radio asked, “Should LeBron get a statue outside Crypto.com Arena?” Over 56% of the responses leaned yes, but with caveats—most suggesting that a second title or a few more years in L.A. would make the decision easier.

Fan comments varied:

• “He brought us a title. That counts. He deserves it.”
• “Kobe gave us 20 years. LeBron gave us Hollywood and one bubble ring.”
• “No one’s denying LeBron’s greatness. But this is the Lakers. Statues are earned differently here.”

LeBron James is still playing, still producing at an elite level despite turning 40 later this year. He’s averaged over 25 points per game every season as a Laker and continues to defy Father Time. With son Bronny James likely to enter the NBA soon, there’s growing speculation that LeBron may try to extend his career long enough to play alongside him—potentially as a Laker.

If that happens—and if the Lakers can assemble a championship-caliber team around him—LeBron’s legacy in L.A. could shift dramatically. A second title would virtually guarantee his bronze likeness joins the others outside the arena.

Even if that doesn’t happen, some argue that the moment LeBron decides to retire, emotions and appreciation will wash over the fanbase in a way that might soften today’s opinions.

Sports columnist Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times offered a nuanced take:

“Statues aren’t just about rings. They’re about moments, emotion, and history. If LeBron’s time in L.A. ends without another title, it’ll still have given us unforgettable chapters in Lakers lore.”

The debate over LeBron James and statue-worthiness is not one easily resolved—and maybe that’s fitting. He is, after all, one of the most polarizing and celebrated athletes in history. His journey with the Lakers has included triumph, heartbreak, leadership, and controversy. It has been incomplete, but undeniably significant.

Whether or not he joins the immortalized legends outside Crypto.com Arena may depend on what comes next. Another title? A mentorship of Bronny in purple and gold? A graceful retirement speech at center court?

One thing is certain: LeBron James has reshaped the Lakers in the modern era. And even if a statue doesn’t come soon, the conversation itself is proof of just how powerful his presence has been.

For now, though, according to one three-time NBA champion and a growing group of traditionalists, LeBron James is not yet a statue guy.