Local Lakers fans excited about LeBron James coming to Los Angeles

The King has a new throne.

On Sunday, NBA superstar LeBron James announced he will sign a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The big news sent shock waves around the sports world, including on Central Coast, which is home to many Lakers fans.

“I’m elated. I’m excited,” said Jamal Arousse, while shopping at Sportscard Fantasys in Santa Maria. “I was really hoping that this was going to happen and now hopefully it’s going to bring another free agent or two to LA. It’s going to be a great show. It’s going to be entertainment. It’s going to be very exciting.”

The Lakers fan from Ojai is so excited about the move, he bought now-classic LeBron James Miami Heat jersey.

“I can’t wait to get a LeBron Lakers jersey, sports cards or anything LeBron-related,” said Rousse. “I can’t wait for that first game.”

Even though the four-time NBA most valuable player has long been rumored to be headed to Los Angeles, Sunday’s announcement has still left some fans in a state of disbelief.

“I’m excited,” said fan Greg Civiello. “How can you not be excited? I never thought we’d get a star like this again. I still can’t believe he’s here. I’m kind of stunned honestly.”

Civiello is already planning to watch James and the new-look Lakers in person at Staples Center next season, but realizes it’s going to cost a pretty penny.

“I read that prices for season tickets went through the roof,” said Civiello said. “I’m going to try of course, but I don’t know if I will be able to.”

With James on board, plus with a handful of other moves the Lakers have made in the last day, fans now believe the team has finally turned the corner and is ready to contend.

“Just knowing that he’s going to be on our team is something that’s going to be very good,” said 10-year-old Lakers fan Jaden Gutierrez. “I can’t wait to see the season start and see him play.”

The Lakers have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons. It’s a stretch of futility that is the worst in the team’s illustrious history.

However, a team featuring James should instantaneously catapult them back amongst the NBA’s elite.

“We’re relevant again,” said Civiello. “Instead of being a team of being in the doldrums after Kobe (Bryant) left. This gets us back into the conversation. At least we’ll be in the playoffs, in the hunt, those kind of things. If we add some pieces and our pieces grow, the sky’s the limit. We can do anything.”

The signing of James is already making a significant impact on Lakers merchandise sales.

The 16-time NBA champions are always among the top sellers in the NBA, but with James added to the roster, it’s flying off of store shelves.

“We’ve already had calls starting last night asking for the jerseys,” said Sportscard Fantasys owner Curt Miller. “We’ll sell a lot more Lakers stuff. The last several years, the Lakers haven’t been doing that well, so sales have been off, so this should help us considerably.”

Miller noted a new merchandise contract with Nike prevents small, independent stores like his from selling officially-licensed NBA jerseys.

Instead, all jerseys sales are only available at large, national retail outlets, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or Champs Sports.

However, the popular store that’s been a longtime staple in the Santa Maria Town Center, will still be able to take advantage of the LeBron-mania.

“We’ll have plenty of other Lakers stuff and we’ll get in on LeBron pretty quick,” said Miller, adding he’ll be able to sell James-related items, such as t-shirts and sports cards.

Miller added he still has plenty of Cleveland and Miami James jerseys.

“His stuff will still sell,” Miller said. “In fact, it will always sell. We probably won’t even need to put the Cavaliers jerseys on sale because he’s going to go into the Hall of Fame as a Cavalier, so it’s an instant throwback!”

For the being though, LeBron James is a Los Angeles Laker.