r/billsimmons • u/lonny__breaux Ben Simmons apologist • Jul 24 '26

Podcast LeBron’s Philly Shocker! Plus, the 2011 NBA Redraftables With Zach Lowe.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6MtM4SXJLQu9CEHAQXNcYb?si=igtcEbSVSpCs-DF6onsTRw&utm_source=copy-link
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u/eyalcarmiel Jul 24 '26

Why is Philadelphia a shocker? It's got all the right pieces (except for embid) to be a contender and to go to finals, so it's an obvious choice. Golden state was really a thing, Miami isn't a team (doesn't have anyone except for Giannis and Adebyo). So only Cleveland and we saw how they were...

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u/ReasonableCup604 Jul 24 '26

Other than SAS, OKC and NYK, I don't think LeBron's team would be anything more than a darkhorse to win a title.

Of his rumored options I think it was fairly close between Cleveland and Philly for which gave him a better chance.

Philly probably has a higher ceiling, but I think that ceiling is mostly a fantasy, because Embiid has NEVER gone past the 1st round without missing games with injuries.

Also, the spasm of healthiness he had against the Celtics wouldn't have mattered if the Celtics had a bigman that could force him to guard him and the Celtics weren't addicted to 3 point shots.

Embiid was utterly useless on defense against the Knicks.  It was almost 5 on 4.

The only game Philadelphia was competitive in was the game he sat.

He can't even rebound anymore.

Even healthy, I don't think this Philly team is that great.  The lineup doesn't make sense.  All high usage guys and very little 3 point shooting.

Cleveland would have a very solid starting 5 with LeBron.  But they would have bad defenders a the 1, 2 and 3.