Perhaps you’ve seen the statistic that’s been making the rounds. If not: LeBron James is about to become the sixth player among the top eight scorers in N.B.A. history to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
No. 1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. No. 2 Karl Malone. No. 3 Kobe Bryant. No. 5 Wilt Chamberlain. No. 8 Shaquille O’Neal.
And now, No. 7 James.
Maybe you’re not even surprised. The next megastar is seemingly always looming for the Lakers. They will forever get the best players. Right?
Here’s the secret that the Lakers don’t like to share: They haven’t been so sure lately.