Magic Johnson shared his take on how Los Angeles Lakers fans should receive LeBron James in his first game back in LA on Christmas Day.
Magic was instrumental in bringing LeBron to LA in 2018, but the 67-year-old legend would exit the franchise less than a year after LeBron’s addition.
He’s been one of LeBron’s biggest supporters throughout his tenure with the Lakers and has sent a simple message to Lakers fans who will attend his return to the Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day.
Magic Johnson wants Lakers fans to treat LeBron James well on his return to LA
TMZ Sports asked Johnson how LeBron should be treated by Lakers fans when he returns on Christmas as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, with the five-time champion making his feelings clear.
“They should treat him great.”
“Of course,” is what Magic said when asked if fans should cheer for LeBron when he comes wearing the opposing team’s jersey.
James left the Lakers for the 76ers in the 2026 offseason, ending an eight-year tenure with the Lakers where he brought them one championship and six Playoff appearances.
LeBron led the franchise admirably despite front office failures in almost every season after the 2019-20 title-winning year. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds over his years with the Lakers.
With Luka Doncic at the helm and LA’s future secured, LeBron left to finish his NBA career elsewhere.
LeBron James is unquestionably a Lakers legend
Regardless of the narratives around the 2020 title, it was an incredible achievement under the circumstances, and it is what gives LeBron his status as a Lakers legend.
His eight-year tenure allowed him to climb high on a lot of all-time Lakers lists. He’s No. 5 in franchise history for assists, No. 10 in points, No. 2 in triple-doubles, and No. 7 in defensive rebounds.
James and Kobe Bryant are the only two Lakers players to convert over 1,000 three-pointers in the purple-and-gold, so LeBron has some strong historical standing.
His accomplishments don’t stack up with the likes of Magic, Kobe, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but it is definitely jersey retirement-worthy.
It is potentially even statue-worthy, considering the all-time NBA records he broke in a Lakers jersey.
Read more: