With LeBron’s free agency approaching us in 2018, many want the Akron product to come to the Sixers. Today, Matt Litzenberg writes a letter to LeBron asking him not to come.
Dear LeBron,
If you are reading this, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost badly in the Finals to the Golden State Warriors again. That Kevin Durant kid sure is something special. You may be thinking that you should leave and that is a possibility. On one hand, you could go to Los Angeles to team up with LaVar’s kid. On the other hand, you have Dallas and hang with Mark Cuban. Finally you can just form your own league. Instead, You may think: “Hey I should come to Philly!?”
Related Story: LeBron signs with the 76ers (Satire)
Philadelphia 76ers
Let me open with the obvious: You’re a great player. In fact, your career stands as one of the greatest players to ever play the game when you decide to walk away from the game. Not many players can say that they have been to seven consecutive finals. You might become the first player to average twenty points a game at 40. And you should be proud of that.
Despite this, you should not consider the Sixers as an option and here’s why
Reason 1: Ben Simmons
LeBron, you are a great playmaker, but we have an issue. We already have a guy who plays a similar role to you and is younger. That man is Ben Simmons. You probably already know who he is. A “6-foot-10” passing machine who makes his teammates better while making an impact on both ends. Sounds like you coming out right?
With Simmons, the 76ers have a playmaker who can help distribute the ball to others. Do you really want to spend the tail end of your career playing 2nd fiddle to Ben Simmons when you could continue your role as the main playmaker anywhere else? You’re going to have issues as there is only one ball on the court.
Reason 2: You’ll be the 4th option
Another reason is that you’ll be the fourth option. You may be saying “impossible, I’m LeBron James I ain’t no fourth option!”
You are when you hit your mid 30’s and play with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz. These guys are young and are constantly improving. If we want to have them become all stars, they need the ball and you have to deal with it.
Could you handle being the 4th wheel on the Sixers? It would be a sad farewell tour, like Jordan on the Wizards or Jason Alexander post-Seinfeld. You don’t want your legacy being hurt just because you want to win an extra title as a fourth option. Be the leader you said you were going to be, not the fourth option.
Reason 3: You’re going to command too much money
LeBron you are a max player. You’re great and deserve every penny you get. However, in Philadelphia, you may not get that.
In the next four years, the Sixers will sign Embiid, Covington, Simmons, and Fultz to max or near max deals. To retain the core we have, we just can’t afford the max. Plus, if we maxed you, you would be in a situation similar to Cleveland where average role players are overpaid and the only upgrades you can make are by trading firsts for middling vets. Is that want you want?
Insanity is repeating the same things over and over again and expecting the same results. If you come to Philadelphia, you will be repeating the same mistakes.
Reason 4: We have a GM who’s better than you
LeBron let’s be real, we all know you’re secretly the Cavs GM. No other GM would have gotten Tristian Thompson $16 million per year or JR more than $12 million. And you’ve won a title, so congrats on the work.
However, we do not need a star player constantly micromanaging every decision our GM makes. Despite all the boos he gets, Bryan Colangelo has done a great job with the Sixers so far. From drafting TLC, Korkmaz, and Simmons to trading up for Fultz to even signing JJ and Amir Johnson this offseason, Colangelo has built the 76ers into a future contender. Thanks to our lord and savior Sam Hinkie, the 76ers are in an excellent position and filled with assets.
We don’t need you trading firsts to get guys like Vince Carter or Zack Randolph. We need to make smart signings with a long term picture in mind. Since your concern is winning the title, we can’t have you influence our precious, large collar man, Bryan Colangelo.
Reason 5: It’s not what Hinkie would have wanted
LeBron you’re great. You’re such a unique specimen that you likely were created by the Reagan administration to defeat the Soviets in Basketball. However, going to Philly is not the right decision because of The Process.
The Process gives the Sixers a young fun core that could grow and blossom into a title contender. It was about having a young team with great team chemistry that adopted new and old ideas in basketball. With you, this mission can’t occur.
If we trade guys like Richaun Holmes and TJ to clear cap to have a title in 4 years, what does that accomplish? One of the biggest problems with the past Sixers regimes was going all out on one year and being hurt for the future. The Sixers want to have continued excellence for years and years. We want to become the Spurs of the East in this regard.
LeBron we have to follow through with the process. We have three exciting young stars with loads of talented young guys. We can’t just give up on the process and you shouldn’t give up on Cleveland. I still wish you the best of luck and have a cheesesteak on me.
Cheers,
Matt Litzenberg
P.S. The Browns are still trash, you should join them.