Training camp is just a couple of months away, and the Philadelphia 76ers are starting to have an actual grasp of what they have in store for the upcoming season. LeBron James is obviously the biggest character they have added, pushing the squad to the upper echelon of contenders in the league. Now touted as someone who should be able to get the team over the hump, Mike Gansey doubled down on how the King can elevate the entire team with his biggest skill at this point –– creating for his teammates.
Speaking on the 97.5 The Fanatic podcast, the new 76ers team president shared how he envisions LeBron fitting in with the talented nucleus the group already has in place. Gansey outlined that his skill set as a connector is ideal for this team, which is what fans and pundits alike have been emphasizing once the megastar chose Philly as his destination. James has been a full-on playmaker for most of his career, although that was not the case this season. Well, that changes now.
The 76ers could enjoy a bounce-back season from LeBron James next season
It is a bit of a reach for fans to prognosticate LeBron reprising his peak form next season given his advanced age, but it definitely should not be reckoned as an utter impossibility. After all, his decline in the previous campaign, at least numbers-wise, was due to him suffering an injury early on and never really getting his usual rhythm as he adjusted to a much more streamlined role while taking a backseat to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Well, the 76ers have even more mouths to feed now compared to the Lakers last season, but the prime difference is what Gansey pointed out –– playmaking. LA had both Doncic and Reaves take on the playmaking mantle, but that is not something Philly has outside of James. Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown are capable off-ball operators, and in their projected starting unit, LeBron will be functioning as the de facto point guard anyway.
As long as the injury bug steers clear of him, LeBron should definitely have a dominant campaign in Year 24. He has all the tools around him to further maximize his skill set, and while his age-related physical limitations have started to become manifest last season, those will not be enough to usurp his on-court smarts and sheer skill with the basketball.
LeBron James may not be who he once was, but he is still pretty darn close to his peak when healthy. Hence, with this guarantee by the 76ers and Mike Gansey, the rest of the league should definitely feel terrified.
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