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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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Ben Simmons
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Ben Simmons

Philly playoff performance can be the difference maker.

That remains to be seen. The team must first get to the NBA playoffs. At 82 games a season, and with a mere 13 games passed by, 69 games stand between the 76ers and that goal. But once there, the team must do more than four and out. If the team improves this year to get to the playoffs, the team must aim higher than an invitation.

Advancing in the  playoffs will be enough to pique LeBron James interest.

Let’s face it, LeBron already follows these 76ers. It was he who commented on the first triple double recorded by Ben Simmons. The rarity of the triple-double is well-known. So the fact that James proclaimed “the first of many” should not be so easily ignored.  Add in the solid play of Joel Embiid at center, the 3-and-D play of Robert Covington, and you can see why a player aiming at another championship would pick up the phone.  But don’t ignore the fact that LeBron James himself wanted 76ers point guard T.J. McConnell in Cleveland.

There is more to this story than meets the eye.