News•Sixers•Unique Columns
Don’t misunderstand me, Philadelphia. There is nearly nothing that I wouldn’t give for a Sixers Championship. And the chance to get even one season with perhaps the best NBA Player in decades in LeBron James combined with a roster of young talent that will keep Philadelphia relevant for years to come ending in a June 2027 parade down Broad Street?
For June of 2027 — almost nothing seems better.
But when something seems too good to be true (especially in Philly) you’ve got dig deep into it — weigh the pluses and minuses — and evaluate for yourself. And while a whole season giving Sixers fans everything that they could have possibly hoped for since 1983 sounds exhilarating — one has to evaluate the tradeoff that would come with the signing of such a talent.
For one brief moment in 2001 — the Sixers looked like they might be able to win a championship. With a roster complete with yet another generational player in AI (that’s Allen Iverson and not Artificial Intelligence) local talent like Temple’s Aaron McKie, as well as Eric Snow, and Dikembe Mutumbo — the Sixers took a 1–0 lead in the NBA Finals courtesy of a step-back jumper from The Answer stepping over Tyron Lue that would make highlight reels until this day. It was a series that the Sixers ultimately lost.
But the rest of the last 40-odd years as a Sixers fan have been mired in disappointment and then being stuck in The Process. Starting with the trade of Jrue Holiday back in 2013 — the Sixers have outlined have a well-prepared plan for sustained success that hasn’t made it’s way to the hardwood — with Philadelphia not having advanced to an Eastern Conference Finals since that incredible 2001 season.
But now there is new management for the Sixers with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and Assistant General Manager Jameer Nelson spearheaded the re-tooling of a talented roster in an attempt to spearhead the Sixers to the NBA Finals. Shouldn’t we let them do so — and utilize the capital to bring talent for years — instead of investing in a couple years of LeBron?
And wouldn’t adding King James be abandonment of The Process and all that we have sacrificed to get here? Giving in to the temptation of adding a mega-star after calling for patience as the team builds over time with what could possibly be one of the finest young rosters in the NBA with VJ Edgecombe, Labaron Philon Jr., and Tyrese Maxey?
And what about our own superstar in Joel Embiid? Are we sending the right message that the Sixers need to add another generational player to get the Championship that we all believe the Embiid is capable of?
Considering all that — what should the Sixers do? Add LeBron James.
Do it because it would be an amazing pairing of a roster that is already a favorite to win an NBA Championship this season. Do it for the chance of King James ending his career as a Sixer. Do it for the Sixers fans who have waited nearly four decades for another Championship. Do it for the City of Philadelphia. Weigh the affect on the roster, the impact on the younger players, and the impact on the salary cap.
Then bring LeBron to Philly, anyway.
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