Lisa Leslie hits Lakers fans hating on LeBron James with Kobe Bryant truth

If the 2025-26 season was indeed Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James’ final year with the team he led to a championship in 2020, which followed Kobe Bryant’s retirement in 2016, Hall of Fame center Lisa Leslie says fans should be more appreciative. While some wonder whether the Lakers want James back for another season, Leslie, as a fan, pointed to LeBron’s greatness as a player.As a Hall of Fame center and Los Angeles native, Leslie reminded Lakers fans to remember the good from James’ era, she said, per ESPN’s First Take.“I’m a L.A. girl, and LeBron filled a huge void for us in L.A.,” Leslie said. “We lost the great Kobe Bryant, and to have LeBron come into L.A. and perform the way he has at the level that he has for this amount of time. We have just been so critical of this man who has been nothing but perfection for the Purple and Gold.”James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in his eighth season with the Lakers.Brian Windhorst’s take on Lakers’ LeBron James’ futureGary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesESPN’s Brian Windhorst addressed LeBron James and the Lakers’ upcoming offseason, reminding fans that the front office cannot offer James significantly less money if they plan to retain him for the 2026-27 season. If so, expect LeBron to look elsewhere via free agency, Windhorst said, per ESPN’s Get Up.“The concept that he’s just not as good anymore and he’s only worth $30M instead of $50M, you’re not getting that from LeBron James,” Windhorst said. “LeBron doesn’t believe in that. I don’t expect him to accept that. If you’re the Lakers and you force LeBron to leave, he’ll go somewhere else and play for less money.” Brian Windhorst on LeBron future with the Lakers 👀 “The concept that he’s just not as good anymore and he’s only worth $30M instead of $50M, you’re not getting that from LeBron James. LeBron doesn’t believe in that. I don’t expect him to accept that. If you’re the Lakers and… https://t.co/ked0bQGLNO pic.twitter.com/DMsKkqL321 — NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) May 14, 2026It’ll be interesting to see how things play out between James and the Lakers this summer.If the 2025-26 season was indeed Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James’ final year with the team he led to a championship in 2020, which followed Kobe Bryant’s retirement in 2016, Hall of Fame center Lisa Leslie says fans should be more appreciative. While some wonder whether the Lakers want James back for another season, Leslie, as a fan, pointed to LeBron’s greatness as a player.