Kobe Bryant's New Deal Ends Any LeBron James Fantasy For Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant has signed a three-year, $90 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. It will ensure his tenure ends with the same team it began with, and it should put to rest any talk of LeBron James coming out west.

Some Laker fans have been guilty of romanticizing about James as the next great player in the history of the storied franchise, and even possibly sharing the court with Bryant for a few historical seasons.

It's nothing more than speculation, far-fetched at that, and in many ways I can't be happier, because although I recognize James' status as a superior player, I doubt his personality and aspirations are in line with the Lakers'.

Don't get me wrong, the franchise has had a litany of stars like Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and all of them were larger than life, but smaller than the team.

James is larger than the whole state of Ohio, and the fact he was born there means his already dominant personality and skill-set has captured the region's imagination, and lifted him to God-like status.

He has already attained the position as the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers' history, but if James were to come to Los Angeles he would be the low man on the totem pole.

The Laker franchise is used to excellence, and after 15 NBA championships and only two absences from the postseason, you have to earn their trust. Would James' personality keep him beneath the team?

I'm not so sure that would work. James is a magnificent talent, but he yearns for the glare of the spotlight, and that's okay in Los Angeles, as long as you remember the name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back.

New York, however, would be the perfect fit if James wishes to leave Cleveland and establish his kingdom elsewhere, because it is the largest city in America, and LeBron would immediately ascend to New York Knicks' royalty.

James would be one of the top three players in Knicks' history upon his arrival, and in the media capital of the world, he would receive all the attention and love he needs.

He could possibly convince Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh to join him in the Big Apple, and together they could restore the Knicks to some of their brief periods of glory in the NBA.

In New York, James could truly be king, but in Los Angeles he would have to submit for the others who have come before him and already established the Lakers as one of the all-time great franchises.

To be fair, it's possible he could do this because James has seemed to grow in terms of his respect for the history of the game, and he likely understands what being a part of a franchise like the Lakers really is.

Of course it's the bright lights, and glamour of Hollywood, but it's also dedication, determination, and a commitment to excellence, all while staying within the confines of the team.

Players like Magic and Bryant have been able to balance their personalities with the goals of the team, and their focus in that respect has led to nine NBA championships between them.

Bryant will be recognized as an all-time Laker great, but the franchise helped create his legacy. By signing an extension he made his intentions known for ending his career in Los Angeles.

Bryant respects what the franchise stands for, and he made the decision to add his name to the long list of talented players who have donned the purple and gold. His four championships ensures his legacy.

James' gaze is not likely to shift towards the west, because he would rather exist with a franchise growing from his direction, rather than being confined to the expectations of the team.

There is no fault in that logic, and Michael Jordan proved that a great player can transform a mediocre franchise if he is surrounded by the right cast of supporting players.

James has the talent to have an impact like Jordan, and he may have the team in Cleveland, and if he chose to leave, any destination he reaches would provide those services also.

I can't read minds, but it seems James would prefer to establish his own legacy in his own manner, and he has the opportunity to accomplish this with any other team in the NBA except Boston and Los Angeles, because their history is greater than James. 

For those few Laker fans who want to hold onto a sliver of hope that LeBron James will join the franchise, there's always a sign and trade right?