Andrew Bogut tips Lakers to rise under LeBron James, but says they won’t beat the Warriors or Rockets
LEBRON James will dramatically improve the Los Angeles Lakers, but the King’s presence won’t be enough to topple the Western Conference benchmarks.
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LEBRON James will dramatically improve the Los Angeles Lakers, but the King’s presence won’t be enough to topple Western Conference benchmarks Golden State and Houston.
That’s the opinion of former Laker and Warriors 2015 NBA champion Andrew Bogut following James’ decision to link with the storied Hollywood based franchise.
The NBA’s premier player announced Sunday night that he has agreed to a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers.
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By switching conferences from the East to the West, James will attempt to dethrone back-to-back champions Golden State and grow his own legacy.
But according to Bogut, who spent 13 seasons in the NBA, The Lakers will need more than LBJ to win their 17th championship.
“They won’t beat the Rockets or the Warriors,” declared Bogut, who will move to the Harbour City in the coming weeks to officially start his two-year tenure with the Sydney Kings.
“They got a lot better though with (LeBron), obviously.”
James’ presence will also provide Los Angeles with significant pulling power in the player market.
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard has been linked to Lakers, while LBJ’s signing triggered Lance Stevenson, Javale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to all link with the franchise.
As one of the NBA’s biggest franchises, Bogut believes Los Angeles possess a clear advantage over their rivals.
“The Lakers will always attract stars,” he said.
“Even without a GM or front office people will want to go there.
“Is it fair to the small markets?! — no, but that is life.”
For the second time in his career, James is farewelling the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted the teenage sensation from Akron in 2003.
Much to Cavaliers’ fans dislike, LBJ led the franchise to one title in the 11 years.
Now the game’s biggest star will lead a young, rebuilding Lakers team — run by franchise Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
Los Angeles finished 11th in the Western Conference last season, but James will help them instantly rise up the standings.
The three-time champion declared he was in “championship mode” despite being swept by Golden State in this year’s NBA Finals.
Los Angeles will also provide James with a larger platform for his business interests and social activism. He already owns two homes in Southern California and has a film production company.
This is the third time in eight years James has changed teams. After bolting from Cleveland in 2010, he returned in an emotional homecoming four years later, determined to make the Cavs champions.
The 33-year-old had previously said he wanted to finish his career in Ohio, and although he’s leaving again, Cavs fans are more forgiving after he ended the city’s 52-year sport title drought in 2016.
Now Cleveland is in the past — LeBron James is officially a Los Angeles Laker.
NBA 2019 CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
$2.10 Golden State Warriors
$5 Los Angeles Lakers (in from $10)
$6.50 Boston Celtics
$6.50 Houston Rockets
$14 Philadelphia 76ers
$41 Oklahoma City Thunder
$41 Utah Jazz
$51 Minnesota Timberwolves
$51 Toronto Raptors
$51 San Antonio Spurs
$501 Cleveland Cavaliers
Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au