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

As questions mount around the Cleveland Cavaliers, answers form around the Philadelphia 76ers. The rumor buzz of the summer of a LeBron James to Philadelphia 76ers has died down. But that buzz is not so crazy after all.

The 2017-2018 version of the Cleveland Cavaliers so far is a pale shade of the previous two seasons version. The 2017-2018 version of the Philadelphia 76ers is a far brighter hue than the previous two seasons version.  That is nothing to base any rumors or future projections. The reality is that the playoffs form a huge, and perhaps the sole factor in any decision LeBron James might have as to where he will play in his future.

And that is where the Philadelphia 76ers may sparkle enough to catch his attention.  So where has all of this zaniness sprung from?  A simple tweet from Ben Simmons to LeBron James.

It was harmless enough, but the fact that the top-pick of the 2016 NBA Draft tweeted to the top-star of the NBA is enough to get folks excited.

Harmless enough, but layer under the layer there is a picture forming.  The linking of LeBron James is not difficult to do at all. In fact, it makes plenty of sense for both player and team to pursue.

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?

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.

LeBron, like Philadelphia, is drawn to family

Ultimately, the key fulcrum on this decision is what truly motivates Lebron James. Like any veteran NBA player, he wants paid.  Similarly, he wants the opportunity to compete for the NBA championship.  But for a player like LeBron James, another key influence is playing with “family”.  He signed on with the Miami Heat to do just that.

He came back to Cleveland to do just that.

LeBron James is a natural fit to the Philadelphia 76ers. He is extremely versatile, can take over the game at the end or juice up his play to regain momentum.  In Philadelphia, he would be aided with the perfect compliment of rim protection and post game with Joel Embiid, incredible assists from Ben Simmons, a great defender and perimeter shooter in Robert Covington.  In fact, he would even be a great mentor to the teams young players.

Punctuate his lauded career

It would be fitting and a grand punctuation mark on his career to join the family of the Philadelphia 76ers.  He is already mentoring the very talented Ben Simmons. That connection is family.  The forced “connection” between James and the Los Angeles Lakers or Boston Celtics has nothing organic to grow from.  But LeBron James has such a relationship in Philadelphia.  The only missing ingredient is competitiveness, which the Sixers are adding as we speak.

Two days after this article was published, the topic is as hot as ever:

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not forecasting or predicting anything at this point. The Philadelphia 76ers are simply not in the running with a player of LeBron James’ caliber until the team makes the playoffs. Even then, there is little hope of prying him away unless the 76ers outperform expectations.  That means, at a minimum, advancing a round in post season.

Next: Why the Philadelphia 76ers need a dominating Joel Embiid

As of November 15, 2017, the Philadelphia 76ers are 7-6 while the Cleveland Cavaliers are 7-7.  Yes it will be a long season. Yes, lots of things can happen along the way.  But as far as the “LeBron to Philadelphia is just a pipe-dream” argument? You anchored that on the fact that Philadelphia is not competitive.  Seems like the Sixers are more competitive than those Cavaliers.

So LeBron to Philly isn’t so crazy after all?!