LeBron James’s Lakers Debut Ranges from Good to Bad to Ugly

LeBron James put on a show to start his Lakers debut, but that eventually gave way to late mistakes and miscommunications in a 128-119 loss to the Trail Blazers. While James preached patience afterward, his commitment to that tune will determine much of L.A.'s early development.

PORTLAND, Ore. — LeBron James launched his Lakers tenure with bookend plays that functioned like a State of the Union address: two early dunks brought gasps and cackles from an awed Moda Center crowd, while two late turnovers prompted pained expressions and post-game calls for patience.

Less than three minutes into his first game with L.A., a 128–119 road loss to Portland on Thursday, James picked off an inbounds pass…