A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers
The book A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers by Yaron Weitzman examines LeBron James's era with the Los Angeles Lakers, focusing on behind-the-scenes team dynamics and the influence of Klutch Sports. It frames LeBron as the defining athlete of his generation and describes a merger between LeBron, the Lakers, and Klutch Sports that shaped the franchise during this period.
Set against the backdrop of Lakers franchise history—including the Buss family ownership, Jeanie Buss's leadership, and a legacy of champions like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal—the narrative also notes the emergence of Luka Dončić as a significant figure in the later stages. The book highlights a 2022 scene in the Lakers' film room where LeBron questions Will Smith, six months after the Oscars slap, while Russell Westbrook shows visible frustration in a team photo.
Key moments include the Lakers' 2019-20 NBA championship victory, achieved in the COVID-19 pandemic bubble season that was also marked by the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. The 2021-22 season saw the addition of Russell Westbrook and a failure to defend the championship, resulting in the firing of coach Frank Vogel and hiring of Darvin Ham.
On February 7, 2023, LeBron became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, during a season when the Lakers held a 25-30 record. The book further notes significant franchise changes such as Anthony Davis being traded for Luka Dončić, Bronny James being drafted at number 54, and the Buss family selling a majority stake of the team to Mark Walter, with Jeanie Buss retaining her role as governor and holding a 15% ownership stake. LeBron's wealth was estimated at over $1 billion while he was still on an NBA roster, and he harbors a dream of owning an NBA franchise himself.
