Philadelphia 76ers fans prepare warm welcome for LeBron James

Success attracts winners

In the end, no amount of cheers will win over the Cavaliers star. And money is not the enticement you might think it to be. No, to get a player of LeBron James’ caliber, the Philadelphia 76ers must prove they are winners. Not only in the regular season, but in post-season as well.  The task then, for these Philadelphia 76ers, is to exceed expectations.

So far, the team is doing that. But the true test will be post season. And for all intents and purposes, the Philadelphia 76ers will likely face a higher ranked opponent. But this Philadelphia 76ers team gets better each game. By post-season, the team will likely be playing their best basketball of the season. Good enough to win their first playoff series? Perhaps.

Fickle national narrative.

Ultimately, it’s the showing of the Sixers which opens the opportunity for free agents. If the team hobbles into post season and is ushered out in four games? That opportunity will likely not occur.  But if the team roars into the playoffs and shows up big in games, that will echo throughout the NBA.  National narratives are fickle. A Philadelphia 76ers team heating up as many past powerhouses cool off will change the media perspective.  And a changing perspective can win the audience of top players like LeBron James.

Next: J.J. Redick makes the Philadelphia 76ers elite

Signing a LeBron James in free agency is not short-cutting the process, nor is it a bad move.  LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers is a symbol of his acceptance of his own role moving from engine to advisor in the NBA. He won’t try to wrest the reigns from Joel Embiid nor Coach Brown. Instead, he will serve as the NBA historian to young players eager to taste a championship.  And he will be happy to do so, as that will bring three champions to his resume on three different NBA teams.  For a player with as much pride as LeBron James, that may be the ticket to entice his signing with Philadelphia.