July 26, 2026
In the interest of encouraging the outpouring of excitement over the signing of new Sixer LeBron James this weekend, I have removed my Party Pooper hat while writing this blog. Hey, I may be a chronic grump, but I’m not stupid. My 33 years in sports talk taught me never to discourage the glee of a special moment with my own dark reality.
This is a time of joy for all Philadelphia sports fans. One of the greatest players in basketball history has chosen to end his career in our awesome sports city, and who am I to recite all the reasons (available in previous blogs) why the additions of James and Jaylen Brown are not necessarily going to lead to the end of a 43-year NBA championship drought?
No, my dark side is sitting this one out. Instead, I’m going to channel all of the optimism in Philadelphia right now. In fact, I plan to list here many of the biggest reasons why the arrival of LeBron James is a wonderful thing.
The New Brain Trust
I’m going to take a major leap here and say that no new Philadelphia front office has ever had a start as brilliant and stunning as the new tandem of president of sports Bob Myers and president of basketball operations (GM) Mike Gansey have enjoyed over the past two months.
Stealing Jaylen Brown from the still-despised Celtics was a coup by all accounts, including those from the truly dismayed Bostonians. How did they end up with a washed-up, injury-prone Paul George while Philly got an MVP finalist in his prime? In Boston, they are demanding an investigation.
But LeBron James, too?
Surely you jest.
These things simply never happen to us.
The best thing about this off-season, regardless of the immediate results on the basketball court, is undeniable proof that the new guys in charge are distinctly better at their jobs than ex-GM Daryl Morey – admittedly a low bar to clear. When the story behind James’ decision emerged, it became even clearer that Myers and Gansey are an extraordinary tandem. You need to follow the chronology to understand how it all worked out so well.
In his own words, James chose Philly because the Sixers, among half a dozen suitors, give him the best chance to win a championship with a fourth different franchise (after Miami, Cleveland and LA). Would he have believed this if the new guys didn’t already bring Brown here? No. No chance. Trading for Brown led directly to the signing of LeBron.
And if Gansey hadn’t left Cleveland to replace Morey, is there any way James would have decided to come here? Again, no chance. A quarter-century ago, James and Gansey bonded while competing at rival high-schools in Ohio. In fact, Gansey finished second to James in the 2001 voting for Mr. Ohio Basketball. Their mutual respect started on the court.
Then Gansey and James reconnected in Cleveland, where James won a championship for his home town in 2016. Gansey was in the front office, serving as GM of the Cavs’ D-Team then, and – it’s safe to conclude – using his history with James to keep the demanding superstar happy there.
Not many people connected the dots until the announcement this weekend, but Gansey and Brown were the biggest reasons LeBron shocked the world and came to Philly.
I hope I’m not breaking my word about negativity with this comment, but . . . . wouldn’t you love to know what Daryl Morey is thinking right now?
The Embiid Factor
By all accounts, James and Joel Embiid spoke before the decision, and LeBron chose the Sixers anyway. Is it possible Embiid is finally willing to share the spotlight with someone who can handle public scrutiny far better than he ever has? Surely Embiid said nothing to James that discouraged that notion.
Even more meaningful – at least to me – is how this new development will affect Embiid’s legacy. Currently, he is an Enigma, with a capital E. All of that talent wrapped in all of that drama, all of those brilliant moves wrapped in bandages . . . . Embiid was on his way to oblivion when LeBron (and Brown) suddenly changed the narrative.
If Embiid can help break the title drought, his reputation here will experience a renaissance very rare so late in a career. People will love Joel again.
Of course, if the Sixers fail with this All-Star team, well . . . . not today.
What Process?
Right after the King James announcement, the Sixers put a new message on the digital billboard on I-95 near the arena. Among a few joyful ads was one that proclaimed: The Process Just Got Royal.
No, it didn’t. The Process officially ended when James signed – unless you’re a bonehead who believes the plan all along was to finish the rebuild by signing the best basketball player of his era. Nope. That’s not what the plan was at all. I was here. The plan was to find the next LeBron and – by tanking for four seasons – build a dynasty based on smart choices with high draft picks.
I won’t name names here (OK, Spike Eskin of WIP), but it’s time they admit defeat and enjoy the fruits of this new era of all-in, win-at-all costs basketball, the precise opposite of The Process.
Oh, and this should also end any idiotic debate over the talents of ex-GM Sam Hinkie, author of The Process. Mike Gansey has done more in two months than the reclusive Hinkie did in three years. At this point, the only logical debate is who was worse, Hinkie or Morey?
Who Doesn’t Love a Bargain?
I had a reputation at WIP for my frugality. It was well-earned. I didn’t pay for a hat or T-shirt for 33 years (and haven’t bought one since). The idea that LeBron signed a two-year, $8-million contract is unfathomable in these insanely lucrative times. (By way of comparison, Embiid will make $58 million this season, or 1,450% more than James’ $4 mill.)
Hey, I’m not worried about how James will make ends meet. His net worth, including all contracts and endorsements over 23 years in the NBA, is $1.4 billion. He took the deal because the only goal left in his career is one another championship. Bravo to that.
We Have a New Role Model
Superstars are a rare breed. Based on my half-century covering them in newspapers and on the radio, most are corrupted by their own power. They are not just members of the team; they pretty much run it. James is certainly no shrinking violet in that regard. He will impose his will often. He has an ego as big as his bank account.
But in comparison to other superstars, he’s far more a plus than a minus. He doesn’t have the gambling problem or snarky attitude of Michael Jordan, or the moodiness of Kobe Bryant, or the selfishness of my own basketball idol, Wilt Chamberlain. Compared to those extraordinary players, LeBron is a fully-catered picnic.
And there’s more good news. His son Bronny, part of a package deal in LA, is not coming here.
Hey, how would it look if Bronny was making more money than his dad?
The bottom line is, despite my previous writings – yes, I did beg the Sixers not to sign him – I’m excited about the new season, in a way that would have been impossible without this improbable twist.
As a former sport-talk show host, wow. What a gift. The Sixers have moved into the No. 2 position behind the Eagles in fan interest. The Phillies are still drawing well, but we have all seen this show before. They are doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes. Been there, done that.
The Sixers are brand-new now, even with lots of familiar faces. Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe in the backcourt, Joel Embiid in the middle and the two new guys, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, on the wings.
If you aren’t excited about the Sixers now, you are an even bigger grump than me.