LeBron James has joined the ranks of NBA legends by donning the iconic LA Lakers jersey, yet despite his significant contributions, there are some who question his place among the franchise greats.

LeBron embarked on his Lakers journey in the summer of 2018, with his crowning achievement being the 2020 championship victory he led the team to in the bubble.

In the span of the last five years, LeBron has played 278 games for the Lakers, boasting impressive averages of 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists.

In a recent episode of ‘The Pivot’ podcast, hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg was tasked with naming his top five Lakers of all time. Notably absent from his list was LeBron James.

Snoop Dogg instead highlighted the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar (formerly known as Lewis Alcindor), Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kobe “Jellybean” Bryant, Shaquille “the real deal” O’Neal, and Wilt “the stilt,” emphasizing Wilt’s incredible 50-point average per game era, even suggesting he likely scored even more before cameras were widely used, potentially reaching 70 points or more per game.

When considering entire careers, LeBron James could arguably be counted among the top five LA Lakers players of all time. However, when focusing solely on their tenure with the team, it becomes understandable why Snoop Dogg omitted him from his list.

It’s indisputable that LeBron is one of the NBA’s greatest players, but his stint with the Lakers has been inconsistent, to say the least. The team has faced multiple playoff absences during his time, with only one appearance in the Finals.

This year, LA had a chance to return to the Finals but was swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, highlighting the challenges and ups and downs of LeBron’s Lakers tenure.

In the grand scheme of things, numerous stars have achieved more during their tenure wearing the iconic purple and gold Lakers jersey. Players of the caliber of Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal stand out, having clinched multiple championships and exerting dominant influence while representing the Lakers.

It’s important to acknowledge that LeBron James isn’t solely accountable for the Lakers’ struggles during his time with the team. Factors such as Anthony Davis’ injury woes and the unsuccessful Russell Westbrook experiment have contributed to the challenges faced by the team. Nevertheless, these difficulties have impacted LeBron’s legacy within the context of his Lakers tenure.

While LeBron may not rank among the top five Lakers of all time, his stature as one of the greatest players in basketball history to don the purple and gold jersey remains unquestionable.