LeBron James Says He ‘Almost Cracked’ After Lakers’ Slow Start

Since the moment it was announced that LeBron James was signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer, it has been obvious that the franchise was going to go through some real growing pains (which was true, with or without him). 

Currently the Lakers are on a modest three-game win streak, which has helped them secure a 5-1 record since Halloween. And though it’s a very small sample size, LeBron said (after Saturday’s win over the Kings) that it has prevented him from completely losing his patience.

“I haven’t changed anything outwardly, but you know me. You know how I am. I almost cracked [last week],” he said Saturday, according to Yahoo. “I had to sit back and remind myself, ‘[Expletive], you knew what you were getting yourself into. This process has been good for me. I just have to continue being patient.”

On that same note, just a few weeks ago, after a loss to Minnesota pushed L.A.’s record to 2-5, LeBron had said “You probably don’t want to be around when my patience runs out. I’m serious.” Coincidentally, these comments came around the same time that team president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, had to publicly state that coach Luke Walton’s job was safe after reports of a heated exchange at a meeting surfaced to the media’s attention.

This tiny 3-0 run has also come immediately after the team acquired Tyson Chandler, whose addition LeBron described as “huge.”

“We knew we had a spot that needed some reassurance,” James said of his new teammate. “And for us to get Tyson in the fashion that we got him and to be able to implement him right away and the impact that he’s made in these three games thus far, it’s great.”