The new superteam that was created when LeBron James decided to sign with the Sixers looks awfully familiar to Rockets forward Kevin Durant, writes Ben Golliver of ESPN. Durant, who was in a similar situation when he left Oklahoma City for Golden State in 2016, commented on the collection of talent in Philadelphia during a Saturday event for USA Basketball.
“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the (Warriors) team I was on,” he said. “(The 76ers) have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”
Golliver notes that Jaylen Brown (28.7 PPG with Boston), Tyrese Maxey (28.3) and Joel Embiid (26.9) all averaged more than 25 points per game last season. James was only at 20.9 with the Lakers, but he has reached that mark in 20 of his 23 NBA seasons.
Golden State was extremely successful during Durant’s time there, reaching the NBA Finals in three straight seasons and capturing two titles, with Durant being named Finals MVP both times.
Durant believes the excitement surrounding the Sixers after the additions of Brown and James is “only going to help” create interest in the NBA. He adds that he had no indication of where James was planning to go before the announcement was made July 24.
“I didn’t know at all,” Durant said. “LeBron is stealth like that. I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind. I’m happy for him. It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win. Philly is a great fanbase, a great market, and it’s great for the league. There were so many eyes that were tuned in to his decision.”
There’s more on the Sixers:
- James’ playmaking skills will be his most important contribution to his new team, states Tony Jones of The Athletic. Philadelphia had plenty of firepower after trading for Brown, but needed someone who could tie the offense together. Brown also observes that James has been elite throughout his career at exploiting mismatches, and the inability to take advantage of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns on defense was among the reasons for the second-round loss to New York.
- Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required) examines what the Sixers will need from James, Brown, Embiid, Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to compete for a title. She suggests that Brown will have to be willing to return to more of a complementary role after being the Celtics’ top scoring option last season.
- Eric Koreen and Shakeia Taylor of The Athletic debate whether James should be accused of “ring chasing” after signing with a Sixers team that gives him the best chance to win a fifth career championship instead of the other clubs that were pursuing him.