KEY POINTS

  • It is widely believed that LeBron James is given special treatment in every team he plays for
  • Sources from inside the Lakers organization have made a shocking revelation about Kobe Bryant and James
  • The relationship between the Lakers and "King James" reportedly is in a challenging situation

LeBron James could be bigger than most fans think he is in Los Angeles.

Undeniably, James is now arguably the most influential basketball player in the world. He has redefined the meaning of an NBA superstar that some believe he is being valued way more than what’s meant for him.

It has been the narrative in every team “King James” plays for—the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and now with the Los Angeles Lakers.

All the buzz about special power and special treatment that James is getting from a franchise have been mostly speculations until Bill Oram of The Athletic spilled the beans.

According to Oram, he has been told that James is more privileged than the late Kobe Bryant inside the Lakers organization.

“But for as important as Bryant was to the Lakers, sources inside the organization have long said that not even the legendary Black Mamba wielded as much power within the organization as James now has,” Oram wrote.

“Bryant was never able to strong-arm the Lakers to make a move like the one James helped orchestrate for [Russell] Westbrook, which has proven to be an outright disaster,” he added.

LeBron James Russell Westbrook Lakers
LeBron James #6 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the basketball court together during the second half of a preseason basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Following the All-Star break, Oram also revealed that the situation between James and the Lakers have been “tense.”

The organization is said to be having a “one-sided war” over certain issues in which the Lakers management silently disagreeing to the four-time MVP’s ideas.

“So far, the Lakers haven’t shown a particular willingness to engage in battle with their superstar, with sources saying that [Rob] Pelinka has insisted internally that there are no hard feelings between the two sides,” he noted. “But even if it is, for now, a one-sided war, by digging their heels in and not giving James everything that he wants has the potential to be received as a form of aggression—a battle tactic in its own right.”

James has yet to comment about his rumored conflict in Los Angeles. The only confirmation he made thus far was that he will play for the team that will sign his son, Bronny.

“My last year will be played with my son,” James stressed. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”