July 31, 2026
OK, I’m pretty sure the jubilation over LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Sixers has subsided enough for us to take a more objective look at one of the biggest player transactions in Philadelphia sports history.
Let’s be clear from the start about one important point. Having served as a talk-show host for more than three decades here, I am still programmed to embrace any move that stirs interest, any unexpected twist that adrenalizes the city’s already passionate fan base.
When one of the greatest players ever in his sport says he wants to play here, I’m all for it. Of course, that doesn’t mean I necessarily believe it will lead to a championship parade, or even the first trip to the NBA Finals in 25 years.
What I’m saying is, hold back on splurging for confetti right now. There are reasons – too many reasons – why LeBron will not be the savior here that he was in Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles.
First of all, he’s 41. His first season with the Sixers will be his 24th in the NBA. That he has any thread on his tires after all of those hard, rough miles is a tribute to his commitment to conditioning and his natural resiliency. When it comes to endurance, he can teach a thing or two to his new teammate, Joel Embiid.
But he’s 41 – an age when most players are either lining up tee times or are boning up for a career in broadcasting. His stats are still respectable (21 ppg, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), but not exactly reminiscent of his heyday in 2008 when he averaged just under 30 points and dominated on virtually every play.
Second, I mentioned Embiid’s name right up front because the truth is, the Sixers have been trying to find complementary players for their enigmatic center since he got here 12 years ago. James is not a complementary player. Now Embiid is the sidekick. How will the drama queen adjust to this new supporting role?
If you can’t stand the suspense, I’ll venture an educated guess now. He won’t. Joel Embiid is many things, but there is no evidence he can handle secondary status. It wouldn’t shock me if Joel is working right now on his own pregame ritual to rival the powder routine that is LeBron’s trademark move.
And third, it’s hard to imagine that an intense competitor like James will enjoy the flopping, writhing, load-management antics of his new teammate. There’s a reason why LeBron has four rings and Embiid has none.
Fourth is a very simple but essential part of building a champion. You need chemistry. I have no concerns about the younger players in the starting five, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, or at least I didn’t until the news broke that LeBron will serve as the point guard. Now I’m not so sure.
If indeed James is bringing the ball up, what will Maxey and Edgecombe do? Clearly, their roles on a James-led team will be dramatically different now with LeBron carving out his niche on a new team. How coach Nick Nurse handles the Xs and Os, in addition to managing the egos of LeBron, Embiid and another ego-driven newbie, Jaylen Brown, will be one of the biggest challenges of the new season.
And fifth is history. With the exception of Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl in Tampa at age 43 in 2021, sports history is filled with superstars face-planting in the final stops on their brilliant careers. Do the names Michael Jordan, Joe Namath and – going way back – Willie Mays ring a bell? It was not a happy ending for any of them.
The most positive perspective I can offer, after all of this negativity, is that the Sixers had no choice but to try this exciting experiment. It’s not as if Embiid was going to win a championship in Philadelphia under the previous circumstances. When the face of your franchise is known for losing the big games, the odds of doing something special are practically nil. So this is a gamble worth taking.
Oh, yeah. There is one more thing already sticking in my graying and wrinkled craw before this grand experiment unfolds. I was appalled when the news leaked that LeBron is planning to play for the Sixers without actually moving to Philadelphia. He would prefer to travel from New York to Philly via helicopter for practices and games.
That revelation was greeted with a shrug by the fans, but only because they were all still delirious over LeBron’s decision to come here. My experience with the people of our great city is that they will resent you if you choose to live somewhere outside the area.
I know, I know. The greatest player of all time, Wilt Chamberlain, commuted from New York for part of the tenure in his hometown of Philly. If it was acceptable for Wilt, it should be OK for LeBron, too. No?
No. Wilt did it in the 1960s – 60-some years ago. It was a well-kept secret for most of his time here. Plus, he grew up in West Philadelphia. He was always going to be one of us, regardless of where he lived.
For want of a better word, LeBron is a mercenary. His decision to come here was all about business. He picked Philly because he thought the Sixers had the best chance for him to win one more NBA title. If he has any genuine love for the city, he has been hiding it well so far.
You will never find more of a meat-and-potatoes fan than me. I care pretty much only about my teams winning, and anything short of a parade is not good enough. I do not believe LeBron will win another championship in Philly. We may even look back at some point and lament the LeBron decision that has inspired all of this jubilation.
But in my senior (senile?) years, I no longer discount the merits of pure sports entertainment.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is sports entertainment on steroids.
As our old friend Terrell Owens once said, “Get your popcorn ready.”
Unfinished business. . . .
- I have a bad feeling about the new four-year, $152-million contract signed the other day by Jalen Carter. Yeah, he’s still a terrific talent, but how manageable is his ego going to be now that he has cashed in on his early career accomplishments? If he was spitting on opponents before he got the big money, what will stop him from acting out even more now? If I were the Eagles, I would have milked one last motivated season out of the big defensive tackle before handing him the keys to the bank.
- For what it’s worth – probably not much – Jalen Hurts seems more loquacious and upbeat than he did at any time last season. Is this change in attitude due to the absence of troublemaker A.J. Brown? Or maybe the welcome departure of failed offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo? Whatever it is, the Eagles franchise quarterback seems – should I say it? – actually happy at the start of his seventh NFL training camp. It’s good to see.
- Phillies GM Bryce Harper went public with his demand for new additions to the roster before the trade deadline on Monday. OK, technically Harper is not the GM. He just thinks he is. Maybe the Phillies wouldn’t need an influx of new talent if their $330-million first baseman didn’t hit .165 with two homers in July. Just saying. . . .
- The only part of Harper’s latest foray into running the Phils that I enjoyed was when Don Mattingly publicly rebuked the superstar’s remarks. The interim manager said “Guys want to be GMs . . . . without a real understanding of where the organization is.” He even suggested it was disrespectful to the players on the team right now. Wow. That’s something Mattingly’s coddling predecessor Rob Thomson never would have said. Good for Mattingly.
- If I were still on the radio, I would be campaigning right now to bring back Sixers PA announcer Matt Cord for one more season. I know Matt retired after 28 years last spring, but who knew then that the very next season would include the drama of LeBron’s arrival? Now one ramps up excitement better than Cord. If I were billionaire owner Joshua Harris, I would make Matt Cord an offer he couldn’t refuse.