Why LeBron James to Philadelphia 76ers is not crazy after all

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 31: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 31, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 31: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 31, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 1: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21 against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center on November 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 1: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates with Joel Embiid #21 against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center on November 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

These Philadelphia 76ers are bona fide playoff contenders

The NBA will soon learn that the 2017-2018 version of the Philadelphia 76ers are indeed playoff capable.  Until now, the only argument anyone in front of a camera or microphone has posed is “LeBron wants to win, so there is NO WAY he is going to Philly!”.  This season will remove that argument folks. So now, talking heads must contemplate and consider the fit and implications of a LeBron James to Philadelphia scenario.

The rumor mill blows plenty of air, but this one is gaining traction, albeit at the celebrity front.  California Angels all-star outfielder Mike Trout has chimed in with his sales pitch to get LeBron James in the Philadelphia 76ers mindset.  In fact, it’s something we’ve touched on before as well.

The fact is that the Philadelphia 76ers are both incredibly hot and young in the NBA right now. The team is propelled by the play of starters Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Robert Covington. They have played a combined 269 NBA games total. At 82 games per season, that is the equivalent of this trio playing in their second season.   Add in the play of 2017 top-pick Markelle Fultz to this mix, and the excitement is real.  This is a team on the rise. But how quickly can they compete?