"I don't care": LeBron James brushes off controversy with Jeanie Buss in the Lakers

LeBron James stated that he achieved the objective he set when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers: to restore excellence to a historic franchise. The forward also made it clear that, at this stage of his life, he is not concerned about how others may feel about him, including the team's governor, Jeanie Buss.

The statements came after the 112-104 loss to the LA Clippers, in a context marked by a recent ESPN report that analyzed the internal tensions within the Buss family before the franchise was sold to businessman Mark Walter last June. The article referred to a supposedly deteriorated relationship between Buss and James since the player arrived in 2018.

According to the report, one point of friction arose from the start, when LeBron was introduced as the savior of a declining franchise, something that didn't sit well with certain sectors of the board. Later on, the failed trade for Russell Westbrook would have worsened the situation, with Buss privately upset by the player's lack of accountability. There was even speculation about not offering him an extension in 2022 or exploring a trade to the Clippers themselves.

James offered a different view on his relationship with the executive. "I thought it was good, but someone may see it differently. There are always two sides to a story," he explained. "Since I arrived here, the way I have represented this franchise has been with the utmost respect, honor, dignity, and I'd also say loyalty. I have played here longer than almost any other team, except Cleveland."

The veteran admitted that he had not spoken to Buss after the article was published, although he clarified that he has never had a constant contact relationship with the team owners he has played for, not even in Cleveland or Miami.

Accustomed to media exposure since adolescence, James downplayed such reports. "I don't care about reports, honestly. I've been here for eight years, 23 seasons in the league, and there will always be another article tomorrow, especially if it's about me," he affirmed.

LeBron himself recalled the motivation behind signing with the Lakers, at a time when the team had gone five years without playoffs. "My mindset was to restore excellence. The Lakers' history is immense: the years of Shaq and Kobe, what Kobe did with Pau Gasol. I was thinking about how to bring back that feeling to the organization. And I was able to do it, along with 14 or 16 other teammates, winning the championship and bringing the title back."

Following a first playoff-less season, James spearheaded the arrival of Anthony Davis in 2019. A year later, the Lakers clinched the championship in the Orlando bubble, a title dedicated to Kobe Bryant after his passing. Since then, the team has reached the playoffs in five out of six seasons, with a Western Conference finals appearance in 2023 and victory in the following season's mid-season tournament.

LeBron James Moves On

"Honestly, I don't care about articles, stories, or podcasts," insisted the player, now 41 years old. "If the people who know me know how I am, my teammates know what I bring, that's all that matters. I don't care how someone feels about me."

Meanwhile, Jeanie Buss released a statement defending LeBron's character. "It's not fair, considering all he has done for the Lakers, to associate him with my family's drama," she pointed out, denying that his contributions have gone unappreciated. She also changed her Instagram profile picture to an image embracing James after the 2020 title.

Before the game, coach JJ Redick also showed support for the player. "The entire organization appreciates LeBron and what he has done for the Lakers. He has carried the legacy and burden of being a superstar here for eight years, and he has done it with class," he stated.

With the trade deadline approaching, James was asked about his immediate future and the possibility of waiving his no-trade clause. His response was definitive: "I'm good. I'm good."