Los Angeles Lakers Fans Face Ultimate Dilemma: Start, Bench, Cut One of Magic, Kobe, or LeBron in Their Primes

Los Angeles Lakers fans, we’ve got a tough one for you. This isn’t just a casual barbershop debate or some playful banter on a podcast. This is the hardest, most emotional, most divisive basketball question a Lakers fan may ever have to answer. Imagine you’re building the ultimate Lakers team. You get to pick from three of the most iconic players in the franchise’s storied history. But here’s the catch—only one can start, one comes off the bench, and one… gets cut. That’s right. One of these all-time greats has to go. And the three names? They aren’t just great. They are basketball royalty.

Magic Johnson. Kobe Bryant. LeBron James.

Let that sink in for a second.

Each one of these men has not only changed the game of basketball but also helped shape the identity of the Lakers franchise across three different eras. Choosing between them isn’t just a basketball decision—it’s an emotional one. It forces us to reckon with what we value in a player, what we think defines greatness, and how we weigh championships, longevity, leadership, and cultural impact.

Start, Bench, Cut. Let’s break this down.

Magic Johnson isn’t just a point guard. He is the point guard. Standing 6’9″, with vision that seemed otherworldly, Magic orchestrated the Showtime Lakers with an elegance and charisma the league had never seen. He led the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s, routinely going head-to-head with legends like Larry Bird and emerging victorious more often than not. Magic was the original face of the modern Lakers dynasty. He made passing cool. He made winning fun. And more than anything, he made the Lakers must-see entertainment every time they stepped on the floor. There is no Showtime without Magic. There might not even be a modern NBA without Magic. He redefined what a floor general could be and set a standard for winning, unselfish basketball that generations of Lakers players have tried to emulate.

Then there’s Kobe Bryant—the Black Mamba. Kobe wasn’t just a player; he was a force of nature. A five-time champion like Magic, Kobe’s greatness was built on a mentality that refused to lose. His 81-point game remains the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history. His ability to take over games, hit impossible shots, and rise in the biggest moments made him not just a superstar, but a legend. Kobe’s connection to Lakers fans runs deeper than just stats or rings. He was drafted as a teenager, grew up in purple and gold, and spent his entire 20-year career with the franchise. Through triumph and adversity, he stayed. He bled for the Lakers. He made sure the franchise stayed relevant post-Shaq, carrying the team back to the mountaintop in 2009 and 2010. To many, Kobe is the Lakers. His competitive fire, unrelenting work ethic, and “Mamba Mentality” inspired an entire generation—not just of basketball players, but of people.

And finally, there’s LeBron James. The King. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer. A four-time champion. And still dominating in Year 22. LeBron came to L.A. with a different legacy—he wasn’t raised in the Lakers system like Kobe, or the face of their dynasty like Magic. But what he’s done in the twilight of his career is nothing short of remarkable. He brought a championship to the Lakers in 2020, leading the team through the historic, challenging bubble season and adding to the franchise’s championship total, tying the Celtics at 17. His versatility, leadership, and longevity are unparalleled. He’s not just a scorer—he’s a floor general, a leader, a basketball savant. And even in his late 30s, LeBron continues to perform at an elite level. His impact on the Lakers might be newer, but it’s undeniable. He’s brought the team back to contention and continues to defy age, logic, and expectations.

So how do you choose?

If you value the architect of a dynasty—the player who changed the tempo and texture of the entire league—then maybe Magic is your guy. He was the original face of Showtime, the ultimate teammate, and the most gifted passer to ever touch a basketball. Starting him would feel like honoring the roots of Lakers greatness.

If you value the relentless warrior—the player who grew up in front of our eyes, won five titles, and never took a night off—then you have to start Kobe. His legacy with the Lakers isn’t just built on trophies. It’s built on sweat, sacrifice, and love. He embodied the spirit of Los Angeles in a way few athletes ever have in any sport.

If you value consistency, versatility, and unmatched longevity—the player who has been excellent for over two decades and still going strong—then you might be tempted to start LeBron. He’s proven he can carry teams, elevate teammates, and deliver championships under pressure. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime athlete doing impossible things in his late 30s.

But here’s the problem—no matter who you start, you’re benching another all-time great. And even worse, you’re cutting one.

Let’s be real—cutting any of these players feels criminal. How do you cut the player who built the Lakers into the league’s premier franchise? How do you cut the guy who scored 81 points in a single game and brought titles back after Shaq left? How do you cut the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, who’s still one of the best players in the game today?

There’s no perfect answer. Every choice reflects your priorities as a fan. Maybe you’re old-school and believe Magic’s leadership and team-first mentality is the ultimate foundation. Maybe you’re all about killer instinct and want Kobe starting, because you know when the game’s on the line, there’s no one you’d rather have. Maybe you’re focused on all-around impact and the complete package—scoring, passing, rebounding, defending—and feel like LeBron is the most well-rounded superstar of them all.

Let’s play it out. Let’s say you start Kobe. He gives you scoring, tenacity, and clutch play. Off the bench, you bring in Magic—instant offense, elite playmaking, and floor leadership against second units. That means cutting LeBron, which feels unthinkable… but maybe you justify it by saying his time with the Lakers is shorter, and Magic and Kobe are more tied to the franchise’s soul.

Or maybe you start Magic, because he’s the ultimate point guard. You bench LeBron—because even off the bench, he’s going to dominate. That means cutting Kobe, which… you better not say out loud in L.A. But maybe you argue that Magic and LeBron bring more size and playmaking, and you build your team that way.

Then again, maybe you start LeBron—because he can play any position, guard any player, and lead any lineup. You bring Kobe off the bench for instant offense and defense, and you reluctantly cut Magic, even though you know it’s wrong, but you just couldn’t give up the other two.

No answer is safe. Every answer will draw fire.

And maybe that’s the beauty of it.

This debate isn’t about disrespect. It’s about reverence. These are three of the greatest players in the history of the game—not just the franchise. They’ve all brought banners to the rafters at Crypto.com Arena. They’ve all delivered unforgettable moments that define eras. And they’ve all earned the right to be called Lakers legends.

So what do you value? The elegance of Magic’s Showtime? The ferocity of Kobe’s Mamba Mentality? Or the all-around excellence and historic dominance of LeBron’s reign?

You can only start one. One comes off the bench. One has to go.

Lakers fans, the floor is yours. Choose wisely.