Reaves: Lakers fans' view of LeBron was shaped by the Kobe comparison

Los Angeles Lakers player Austin Reaves explained why Lakers fans did not embrace LeBron James in the same way as club legends such as Kobe Bryant. Reaves spoke to Melissa Rohlin of the California Post.

Reaves recalled that for years before coming to the Lakers, LeBron was at the center of the debate with Kobe over who was the best in the NBA. According to the young player, this rivalry shaped how fans viewed LeBron. Reaves said, "LeBron and Kobe were compared for years as the best player in the NBA. So Lakers fans probably hated LeBron back then."

Reaves said LeBron gained acceptance after coming to Los Angeles, but the comparison with Kobe never fully went away. He noted that some fans may still think "Kobe was better."

Emphasizing that there is no such history for Luka Doncic, Reaves said the Slovenian star is a player of the post-Kobe era. According to Reaves, there is no reason for fans not to embrace Doncic like another Lakers legend.

After LeBron's departure in the summer, the Lakers built the team's future around Doncic. The new roster, led by Doncic, Reaves and Walker Kessler, opened the 2026-27 season with a game against the Golden State Warriors.