“I’ll Bring in Kareem, Worthy, and Kobe Bryant”: Reggie Miller Once Revealed How He as Magic Johnson Would Recruit LeBron James to LA and Got Mocked by Chris Webber

By the time Kobe Bryant completed his 20 years in the NBA and decided to hang up his shoes both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Black Mamba were actively looking for a superstar to lead the young future stars namely Brandon Ingram, DeAngelo Russell, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and other who kept coming in through drafts or trades around 2016.

They didn’t get any success until finally in 2018, LeBron James hit free agency for the second time in Cleveland and decided to leave the Cavaliers again in 2010.

Although, it wasn’t so much drama in the media as the last time. In fact, there was drama, but, a good one that saw Reggie Miller and Chris Webber do a mock drill set up the great Dan Patrick.

Also read: “Savannah James Had a Jaw Drop Moment!”: LeBron James Impresses Wife and Mother, Records 47 Points on 38th Birthday

Reggie Miller would bring Kobe Bryant and other Lakers legends together for recruiting LeBron James

In an episode of the Dan Patrick Show the sports media veteran had two legendary players of the NBA on his show and asked them to play a trading game to bring the then-Cleveland MVP to LA.

He assigned Miller with the task of bringing in LeBron to the Lakers while Webber had to be the Cavaliers’ management and counter it from happening.

Reggie said if he was Magic Johnson, he’ll assemble all the Lakers’ championship trophies and big-name stars including James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bean Bryant.

C-Webb mocked his recruitment pitch hilariously and said he’d just have to tell the King that Bryant would always come first for the Lakers even after retirement, and why else would Magic bring him to the meeting? Watch it in the following embed.

Also read: “No Need To Give Up On The Season LeBron James!”: Skip Bayless Back Tracks On His ‘Given Up’ Statement Following A Stellar Birthday Performance

How have the Lakers done since James came in 2018

Unlike his 2014-18 Cavaliers tenure, the four years in LA haven’t been as successful. Although he did bring in Anthony Davis in 2019, and a championship in 2020, apart from that, not have one good season.

A lot of things played part in it. But LeBron and Rob Palinka messed up the whole squad first while bringing in AD, then to bring in reinforcements for the 2020-21, and 2021–22 seasons. Neither of which worked in any way, shape, or form.

Also read: “LeBron James is RIDICULOUS!”: Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant And Many Others React to the King’s 47-Point Birthday Bash

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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