LeBron James Still Bothered by Lack of Lakers Championship Parade

LeBron James revealed that the inability to hold a championship parade for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bother him. The basketball superstar, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason after an eight-year tenure with the Lakers, discussed the lingering disappointment on his podcast, "Mind the Game."

"I still think about like not being able to do the parade. That bothers me," James said. He described the feeling as a "20" on a scale of 1 to 10 for how much it bothers him, adding, "It would have been super duper dope, man."

Despite the unfulfilled desire for a public celebration, James reflected positively on his time with the Lakers, a franchise he joined with significant expectations. He stated that the goal was always to win championships, and achieving that with the Lakers in 2020 was a memorable accomplishment.

"When I came to the Lakers, [a lot of people said] I was just coming to be in Hollywood and do movies," James recalled. "But I’ve always loved a huge challenge, and to come to a historical franchise that has some of the greatest basketball players that we’ve ever seen in the history of sports. To be a part of that one was like a super duper big thing to me. It was super cool and humbling at the same time."

He added, "The expectations around here in Los Angeles when it comes to the Lakers is like, ‘Let’s win championships.’ And I heard that, and I understood that. And for us to be able to win one, that was something I would never forget. [To win] with that group, with that team, for this city."

James is scheduled to return to Crypto.com Arena with the 76ers on Christmas Day, where he is expected to receive a warm reception from the Lakers' fanbase despite his departure from the team.