“Sucks the Joy Out of That Team”: Michael Rapaport Gets Harsh While Explaining Why LeBron James Needs to Leave Lakers

Once the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, many expected the team to storm through the Western Conference when the NBA Playoffs rolled around. Instead, LA looked helpless, except on the odd occasion when  either Doncic or LeBron James completely took over on offense. The team eventually cratered to the Minnesota Timberwolves in just five games.

Actor and regular NBA talking head Michael Rapaport believes he has a solution for them: The Lakers should cut ties with LeBron James.

Rapaport acknowledged that there were some occasions during this season when LeBron showed he was still a top-five talent in the association. But he pointed out that the negatives he brings to the team may outweigh his production on the court at this point in his career.

He also felt that while the Luka Doncic–LeBron James pairing worked in stretches, but it wasn’t enough to inspire confidence in a future title run by the Lakers.

Considering that they started with hopes of at least making the Western Conference Finals, this postseason was an abject failure for the purple and gold. Rapaport stressed that unless LA can make some big-time moves to strengthen the rest of their roster, it may be in the franchise’s best interest to do the unthinkable: let LeBron James go, future hall of famer or not.

“I think [the Doncic-James pairing] worked in bits. Obviously, it didn’t work enough,” Rapaport said on The Skip Bayless Show. “I think that LeBron, I think it’s time to move on. I feel like he sucks the joy out of that team.” In Rapaport’s eyes, a lot would have to go right to make running back this same Lakers core worth it.

“Yeah, I think [LeBron’s] a vibe killer,” the 55-year-old responded when Bayless asked if he blamed LA’s playoff shortcomings on the four-time MVP. “I think he’s got the greatest career. You can’t give any criticism to LeBron without giving a compliment because everybody said you’re a hater … I don’t even think there’s a debate for the second-greatest career.”

While Rapaport’s wishy-washy statement was a bit confusing, he’s not alone in thinking the Lakers should move on. Paul Pierce also believes the two  are destined for a breakup this summer.

Paul Pierce says the Lakers should move on from LeBron

LeBron has accomplished plenty throughout his tenure with the Lakers, including adding a fifth championship to his trophy case. But Paul Pierce says the 40-year-old has done everything he could have for the franchise, and now LA should prioritize their new star, 26-year-old Doncic.

“If the Lakers want to get back to a championship contender moving forward, you have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron James era,” Pierce said on FS1’s Speak. “They’re probably gonna build a statue of LeBron. But I’m just saying, they have to say ‘Bron, we appreciate your services, I think we should move on.’ It’s time for the Luka era now.”

Only time will tell if the Lakers attempt to run it back or if the franchise finally decides to cut ties with the superstar who chose them in 2018. Regardless, the fate of the Lakers will be in Luka’s hands for the foreseeable future.