LeBron James Claims He Joined the Sixers Just to Get Joel Embiid a Ring
"One of the most important, to be honest, is the big fella... Only thing he has not done, and that's win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one." - LeBron James
has officially entered his philanthropic era. The NBA's all-time leading scorer explained his decision to sign with the , and apparently, it was essentially a charity mission to get Joel Embiid a ring.
told reporters that helping the big man secure his first championship was one of the most important factors in his free agency move. It is a noble sentiment that immediately shifts the balance of power in the Eastern Conference and sends 's championship futures into overdrive.
The pairing creates a fascinating durability dynamic for a team with massive expectations. is entering his third decade of professional basketball with a pristine health record, while Embiid has famously missed more regular-season games than he has played in his career. The Sixers are currently healthy at the top of the roster, with only backup big Adem Bona sidelined by a foot issue, meaning this grand experiment is ready to launch.
Hearing LeBron talk about Embiid like a rescue dog that just needs a good home is objectively hilarious. But it also puts an unbelievable amount of pressure on a franchise that has historically treated the second round of the playoffs like an impenetrable brick wall. If cannot drag this roster to the Finals, the front office is going to run out of excuses.
The sportsbooks have already adjusted the win totals, and now the actual basketball has to match the hype. We will find out very soon if LeBron's championship delivery service can finally break the curse, or if the Sixers are about to waste the most generous donation in NBA history.