Opinion: LeBron James must now face harsh reality with Lakers after All-Star Weekend

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James’ team won the All-Star Game, but that’s not the only reason why he had a ton of fun over the past few days.

In keeping with his status as one of the best basketball players ever, James likes being around the best guys, the finest athletes, the coolest kids on the block.

When he was in high school, if you weren’t on the basketball team, he admits he probably wasn’t going to give you the time of day. When he goes on vacation, even the people he chooses to join him on a banana boat is a who’s-who of basketball royalty.

READ MORE: NBA commentary from columnist Martin Rogers

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He just spent a nice little break with a group of elite players, especially those he selected for his own team to take on Team Giannis (Antetokounmpo), that he’d love to be playing with every night. James chose so many impending free agents that his squad became known as Team Tampering. He knew what he was doing.

But here’s the rub. As he rejoins the Los Angeles Lakers, he will reconnect with colleagues that he was indifferent enough about that president of basketball operations Magic Johnson offered up nearly all of them in an attempt to land Anthony Davis.

And there's plenty to suggest that the closest James will get to his preferred Dream Team just passed by over the weekend, or will once again come and go at next year’s All-Star break. Building a super power in Los Angeles isn’t proving to be particularly easy.

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