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It’s an exciting time to be a Los Angeles sports fan. The Rams look like they’re on their way to the Super Bowl in just their third season back in L.A., the Dodgers have appeared in the back-to-back World Series, and the Clippers are enjoyable, if you’re into that sort of thing.
However, arguably no team in Los Angeles has garnered more attention than the Lakers this year.
The Lakers have always been an attraction, but even more so this year with the arrival of LeBron James. In fact, in an interview with Scott Cacciola of The New York Times, former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams said that hype around James is unlike anything he’s seen in L.A:
“There’s a buzz around the city that’s unmatched ever since the day he decided to come to L.A.,” Williams said. “We’ve been in touch. He’s a busy man, and so am I. I mean, we don’t hang out and grab a beer all the time, but we’re in constant contact, and we have a real genuine respect for each other.”
Williams was teammates with James during both of his stints in Cleveland.
His most successful individual season was in 2009, when he was named an All-Star and led the Cavaliers to an Eastern Conference Finals alongside James. The Cavs would lose to the Orlando Magic, who would then lose to the Lakers in the NBA Finals in five games.
Williams eventually reached the Finals with the Cavs again in 2016, but at a much different stage in his career. Still, he was able to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy with James and retire a champion. Take notes, NBA veterans.
As for the hype surrounding James in Tinsel Town, he’s pretty much lived up to it so far. Save for a few underwhelming games to start the season, James has been as good as advertised.
The hope is now that he will be able to lead the Lakers to their first playoff berth in six years, eventually help them get back to the Finals, and justify the hype he’s created around the city.
You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.