The Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George this offseason to create one of the best Big 3s in the NBA. It was a virtually impossible assignment, but Daryl Morey made it happen. He now has a perennial All-Star joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers' front office deserve credit for building out their roster, but can they immediately jump into title contention?
Philly had a Big 3 with James Harden. It resulted in losing in the second of the playoffs in back-to-back years. The 76ers pushed Boston to seven games in 2023 and felt close before things quickly crumbled. Harden is now in LA, and that trade opened the door for Paul George to join the Sixers.
Fans are excited, but what should they expect? The 76ers have the talent to contend with the NBA’s best, but what does history say about Big 3s? For this exercise, all three members needed to be All-Stars and the sample was over the last 15 years. There are cases on all ends of the spectrum, but the results are telling.
The 76ers will be a title contender immediately with their Big 3
Big 3s are a proven championship formula, but the pressure is immediately on. The NBA’s new spending restrictions shrinks the window further. The shelf life for a Big 3 is approximately four years, and the ones that work are usually title contenders immediately.
The oldest Big 3 on this list is LeBron James joining the Miami Heat. The Heatles famously lost to Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks in the NBA Finals in their first season together before winning back-to-back championships. The group only stuck together for four years and made the NBA Finals every season. This would be the best-case scenario outcome for Philadelphia but may be a bit unrealistic.
Kevin Durant joining the Warriors had a similar impact. They actually formed a Big 4 with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green already on their roster. They won the title in their first two years before losing in the NBA Finals in 2019. Durant left in free agency after that season, but this was one of the all-time great teams.
LeBron formed a second Big 3 in Cleveland with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. They lost in the NBA Finals in year one before winning a championship in year two. They made four NBA Finals, but only won one title in their four seasons together.
The Celtics formed a Big 3 with Jrue Holiday joining the franchise last season and immediately won the championship. Holiday did the same for the Bucks in 2021 playing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Toronto also pulled off the feat in their lone season with Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors Big 3 featured a future All-Star in Pascal Siakam but is further proof a franchise can win it all in year one.
Health is the one thing that holds back a Big 3
The other Big 3s struggle to stay healthy and may never win. Fans saw three Big 3s lose in the first round of the playoffs in season one in 2024. Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal were swept by the Timberwolves in the first round. The trio of Paul George, Kawhi, and Harden won two playoff games, but Leonard missed most of the series with an injury. The Bucks were also bounced in round one without Giannis.
With health, success usually follows. The Sixers have seen that firsthand with Joel Embiid’s injury issues. Philadelphia is poised to be a serious title threat when their Big 3 is on the floor. There will likely be struggles early as the three players adjust to working together. They will find their rhythm by midseason and be a serious threat when healthy.
There are serious injury questions for two members of their Big 3. Paul George played 74 games last season but has averaged just 52.6 per year over the last five seasons. Tyrese Maxey continues to blossom, but he cannot do it alone. The Sixers could find themselves bounced in the first round of the playoffs again if Embiid or Paul George cannot stay on the floor.
Fans should be excited. The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the best Big 3s in the NBA. Defeating the defending champion Celtics won’t be easy, but Paul George makes them a title contender. History suggests the pressure is on. Philly needs to win now before things break up. There will certainly be excitement and drama, so stay tuned.