Parity Achieved?

Incepting is a fine art.  On one hand, you want to subtlety influence thoughts.  But in doing so, there's the high possibility of what's being relayed not being understood in full or stretched.

Let me give you an idea of what I mean.  I was the first writer, at least that I know of, who was like wait a minute, the Lakers did not have an "A+" offseason.  Right after that post, I noticed the mainstream media began embracing that idea.  But I wasn't like criticizing LAL's roster per se.

Walker Kessler, as it currently stands, is far from an "A-list center", at least in terms of production (tho he's now like a celebrity).  But at least he holds more promise for the franchise than Ayton did.

Or let me say if I were dissing anybody, it wasn't Luka or Kessler or Reaves but rather the braintrust.  Dudes have been striking out for years now.  And even in my last post, when I implied that Doncic is in a worse position (in terms of potentially winning championship) now than he was with the Mavs, let me point out that offensively, he's by far the most-versatile PG in the league.  So the logic would sorta be that yeah, go out there and get him the best 5 you can afford and then fill out the middle, sorta like the Knicks have done, since wings are more or less in abundance these days.

I'm sure I even said this before, that one of the many major mistakes the Lakers have made of late was last year, they should have traded Lebron, not AD, for Luka.  They're fucked up because now, the mythic Lakers' mystique that made the best of the best want to play for the franchise is no longer there.

Being LAL, you're not even supposed to be out there chasing centers type shit.  They rather should want to play for you.  And Wemby just signed like a five-year extension, I'm pretty sure fully guaranteed, so who knows when or if Los Angeles will get the best C in the NBA again.

This is something else I noticed recently.  I was the first writer, at least that I know of, who was like yeah, if Lebron wants to win a championship with one of the teams on his shortlist, the Sixers are the best option.  Then, the mainstream picked up on that also.  Prior to making that statement, they were just as much, if not moreso, advocating the likes of the Nuggets, Heat or Cavs in terms of LBJ bringing home another trophy.

Then when he finally made his decision, I was like, big fun but still, not a guaranteed championship.  After posting that, now the mainstream is questioning 'his fit' in Philly.  But prior to making that statement, it seemed that they were all for it and super excited.

So this is what I wanted to clarify.  Embiid, not Lebron, is the x-factor.  There is one thing I've been saying for like five years straight that the mainstream media never reiterated, sometimes I believe because they're too afraid or perhaps are disallowed from doing so.  LBJ absolutely sucks on defense.  He's an alltime great defensively, you know, when you go back to earlier in the century.  But now, relatively speaking, he's old AF.

They say that, when NBA players start to age, the first thing to go is their athleticism.  But with some players, except those who are really locked in on that end (like Draymond), the first thing to go is rather their defensive awareness.  Go and look at some of Kareem's games later in his career.

I spoke of this many times before, based on my own experiences and observations.  Once dudes start circling 40, you can't really count on them to play defense anymore, nor can you chastise them for not doing so, because you know, they're like elders and shit.

EASTERN TEAMS THAT CAN DEFEAT PHILLY

So the way I see it, there are currently two, maybe three teams (if the Raptors actually get Kawhi) in the East than can defeat Philly, even if the Sixers are at full strength.  First is the Knicks, and I say that with a grain of salt, because losing Mitchell Robinson was indeed a big loss.

You'll notice that the two teams that made the Finals last season, neither was dealing with major injuries.  So here's to hoping that NYK lucks out like that again.

In 2025, when Robinson was injured during the postseason, NYK got upset by the Pacers.  I don't know much about 'the dreaded second apron' and shit like that.  But maybe in this case, you know, after just winning a historic championship, Dolan shoulda just bit the bullet.

The Knicks entered the last couple of seasons with the most all-around talented starting lineup in the NBA, even moreso than OKC.  But now, presuming that Lebron will start and also with the addition of Brown, Philly is more talented offensively.

And here's further testament to just how great James is.  He's made the world more or less forget that, oh shit, Giannis just teamed up with Adebayo, instantly giving the Heat the most potent twin towers in the league and arguably even of the last 40 years, since Olajuwon teamed up with Samson.  Off the top of my head, there's only like three other teams I can think of, maybe four, that currently have viable twin towers.  But unlike the rest, Miami has two 7-footers who are basically wings.

Some years back, I predicted that the NBA will eventually get to the point where you have teams with like 5 Giannises, you know, like 5 Garnetts type shit.  The Heat right now are closest to fulfilling that prophecy.  And let's not forget that they have more of a winning culture than the Knicks or Sixers.  Old ass Pat Riley, who deadass coached the Showtime Lakers, is still in the game calling shots.  And they're one of the top three organizations not only in developing talent but getting it to mesh.

THE VALUE OF A GLUE GUY

And let's not forget the Cavs also.  They've been getting dogged a lot of late, and no one really believes in them, understandably so, since they've been one of the deepest teams for like three seasons now but never really achieved shit as a unit.  But that said, finally making to the ECF, they have experienced progress.  And despite losing Dean Wade and perhaps one or two peripheral dudes, it's not like these guys are scrubs.  They have two lock future HOFs, one in his prime - and potentially a third also.

What Cleveland needs is a glue guy at the 3 who can make all of these pieces click which, all things considered, is a formidable task.  And that's an interesting observation, because how many years now have the Cavs needed that 3?  But instead, they're out there trading for PGs and shit.

People sleep on the likes on Josh Hart (and Draymond).  He may never put up the type of stats that rationalize a max contract, but trust me, it's unlikely NYK would have won that championship without him.

When a team is overtalented yet not necessarily compatible, you usually need someone who can make it all click.  If the Cavs had Hart, they could win a championship.

Back when Lebron teamed up with D-Wade and Bosh, that player was Mario Chalmers, who never got his flowers.  When Shaq played with Kobe, the Lakers had a number of glue guys.  But those types that can actually facilitate championships, they're rare, perhaps because they don't get ample love.

You have a better chance making a name for yourself as a chuck than someone willing to sacrifice.  So besides Hart and Green, currently I can't even think of anyone else who Cleveland can slot in there to desired effect.  That's how awkward - for lack of a better word - their starting lineup is.

PARITY ACHIEVED?

Whether or not parity has already been achieved depends on your definition of the word, whether it means everyone being in the middle, or rather everyone potential champions.  We're about to enter a season, for the first time ever that I can think of, with like 10 contenders - at least three in the West (don't sleep on the Rockets) and perhaps even six or seven in the East (don't sleep on the Wizards either).  This should be interesting, you know, if the U.S. doesn't bake and become too hot to even play basketball inside.

Free Agency Talk: Lebron to the Sixers

This may be the first time I wrote an article about a single free agency decision and also the first time I've written like five articles in a row about the same player.  But hey, it is Lebron, and presumably this is the last time an offseason will be highlighted by his always dramatic decision making.  Even when he chose the Lakers back in the day, the way I remember it he made that choice fairly quickly, but still, him going to LAL in the first place was more or less a shocker.

LBJ heading to Philly isn't as monumental as it may sound in the moment, unless they win a championship.  But it is very much exciting news nonetheless.

Since acquiring Jaylen Brown, the Sixers were already considered must-watch and contenders for this upcoming season.  They weren't in a sad state like, say, the Cavs when Lebron returned to Cleveland, or the Lakers when he decided to sign there.  So basically, his presence just makes them more must watch and more contenders.  You know, championship or bust.

But there's a whole lot of side stories associated with this latest decision.  This time around, unlike when he returned to Cleveland or went to LA, Lebron's presence is not demanding that the recipient team sacrifice young talent.  But there are still a lot of people affected on the periphery.

LEBRON JAMES (WINNER OR LOSER?)

Concerning his decision, three ideas emerged from LBJ's camp over this summer.  His goals were (#1) to win another championship, (#2) to be close to his family in Los Angeles and (#3) to make the right "business" decision.  And well, at least he's achieved one of them.

In terms of that whole "business choice" shit, I mean, James just signed a 2-year, $8mil deal, if you can imagine that.  The highest scoring player in NBA history, a reigning allstar and, based on this past offseason, still the King of the game is now being paid, relatively speaking, like a peasant.  That doesn't sound like a wise business decision.

But that said, the implication going into next season was that he was slated to make significantly more from endorsements, etc. than salary.  And that likely would've been the case regardless of which team on his shortlist he chose.

What excites me the most about Lebron's decision is that finally, he's wise enough to follow the path of Abdul-Jabbar.  When Kareem was nearing the end of his career, the team he was playing for were contenders with or without him.  A couple of seasons after he retired, the Lakers still proceeded to make the Finals (with Divac).

For all-time greats that want to compete to the very end, that's the way to go - let the younger, fresher guys carry most of the burden.  Lebron signing this paltry contract makes more sense if his intention isn't to regularly overexert himself.

JOEL EMBIID (WINNER OR LOSER?)

I've been saying for like five years now that the Sixers need to part ways with Joel.  His presence is both a gift and a curse.  He proved to the x-factor against the Celtics but then was more or less a nonfactor against the Knicks.  He isn't a bad player at all, you know, when he's actually available.  At the heart of the problem, even moreso than his injuries, is the fact that, all things considered, by this point he should be making like $20mil annually instead of the max.

Anyhow, given this new roster, he's definitely, once again, the x-factor.  But now that they're actually favorites, if he does somehow fail yet again, his inefficiencies will take front and center stage.  So finally, the rest of world may see what I was talking about when I said Philly should devise other viable, contender-level options at C.

BEN SIMMONS (WINNER OR LOSER?)

Ha, I bet didn't see this one coming!  But under the presumption that Philly will be playing a lot of smallball this coming season, it would make total sense to bring Simmons back.

First of all, as far as I know, neither Maxey nor Edgecombe are exceptional defenders, besides both being undersized.  So Ben would help mitigate that issue, as all he does is defend.  And given this current Philly roster, replete with alphas, I don't think anyone will be pressuring him to shoot when he doesn't want to.

Secondly, let's not forget that Simmons can actually play the 5.  And third, a while back, before shrinking into irrelevancy, he expressed a desire to return to the team that drafted him.

If he still has it in him, i.e. the ability to play elite defense, to reiterate, it would make total sense for Philly to bring him back (especially considering that now they wouldn't have to pay him shit).  After Embiid, he's been through the most ups and downs with this team over the past decade.

Meanwhile, in terms of Simmons emerging a loser from it all, you have to imagine that he now wants to return to Philadelphia, with Lebron in town, more than he ever has since leaving.  It's not going to be easy for him seeing the team he deserted at the top of the headlines every day.

WALKER KESSLER (WINNER OR LOSER?)

I know that Kessler isn't directly affected by Lebron's decision to go to Philly per se.  He was however affected by LBJ leaving the Lakers to begin with.

So now, here's something interesting to think about.  Walker is a B-lister, and even that standing was for the most part achieved via his name being in the headlines so much over the past couple of months, not due to his actual gameplay per se.  He has instantly been thrust from playing for one of the most obscure teams in the league to now playing for the organization that has literally employed the greatest Cs in NBA history, all to championship effect.

If he's able to rise to the challenge, this is definitely a lucky break for Kessler and his brand.  But if not, well, let's just say his name is going to be in the headlines daily nonetheless, as the player who more or less replaced Lebron in LAL, and the C playing in the shadow of AD, Gasol, Shaq, etc.

LUKA DONCIC (LOSER)

Let me say this for hopefully the final time - the Mavs did not fail in eventually surrounding Doncic with complementary talent.  Besides sharing the backcourt with Kyrie (and before him Brunson), he also had the likes of Gafford, Washington and Lively on the wings, i.e. athletic, multitalented, long dudes who could complete lobs with the best of them.  Kessler is tall, but is he even athletic like that?  And that's why it makes total sense that LAL is chasing Kuminga, because he's very similar to those aforementioned players who Luka prospered with.

So what I'm predicting is that Doncic may finally be exposed.  He's been one of my favorite players, but let me be honest - I'm a bit bitter with the way the Lakers favored him over Lebron.  Not that they favored him but rather the way they did it, because he is not the answer.

After Jordan, LBJ is the greatest player in modern NBA history.  And to truly achieve that status, sorry white European players, but you have to be exceptional on both offense and defense.

But yeah, we know the NBA has changed.  So you have Luka being paid the max, while players who have to mitigate his deficiencies, like Smart and Thybulle, are being paid as little as possible.

MIAMI HEAT (WINNER)

The Heat now have the advantage of entering next season as underdogs.  Meanwhile, whether or not the Sixers' roster is superior is a matter of debate.

Well, let me say that Philly is definitely deeper, but Miami looks better defensively.  Both Bam and Giannis are in the DPOY conversation annually.  Wiggins, to my understanding, is also an above average defender, as is also Mitchell, I think.  So we're looking at a really formidable defensive squad here.  By contrast, out of Philly's projected starters, only Brown, at this point, is exceptional on defense.

And let's not also forget that Bradley Beal is out there.  Remember a few years back, the Heat were actually after him.

At that time, I argued he was overrated, achieving stardom due to being an above-average player on a below-average team, and that foretelling aged well.  But still, he isn't exactly what you would call a bum if healthy.  And if the Heat do land him, he'll be in the least-pressure situation of his career.  Dude can solely focus on shooting, which is like his biggest attribute.

Let's not also forget that the likes of Rui Hachimura and DeMar DeRozan are out there.  I don't know how much money Miami has left to spend, but they could definitely use both of those dudes.  Hachimura has been one of the biggest beneficiaries, talent wise, of the now-forced-to-shoot-threes' era of the NBA.  And they're saying that Giannis and Bam can't score from midrange, but DeRozan is one of the very best scorers in the league, perhaps top two even, inside the three-point line.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (LOSERS)

I've been doing a lot of Beard bashing of late, but it isn't intentional.  He has also been one of my favorite players.  But Harden, all things considered, is like more show than accomplishment.

Going back to this idea that now offense is exponentially more valued than defense, he's definitely been a beneficiary of that phenomenon.  And that's part of the reason why it still doesn't make sense, at least to me, why the Cavs thought he would be the one to get them over the hump.

Meanwhile, losing Dean Wade and perhaps another dude or two I can't recall right now, while acquiring no one of note in return (unless whoever they drafted exceeds expectation), the roster has actually regressed this offseason.  Not sound braintrusting at all.  Out of all the teams on Lebron's shortlist with a realistic chance of winning a championship, they probably needed him most.

STEPH CURRY (LOSER)

It's hard to call the Warriors as a whole losers, because you can't really miss what you never had to begin with.  And their offseason, though nothing to write home about, hasn't been as bad as that of the Cavs.  Also, they still have like $15mil to spend and will likely end up with Hachimura or DeRozan, the latter of which I think would be really beneficial alongside Steph and especially with the absence of Butler.

I hate saying anything bad about Curry, because one way or the other I always come to regret it.  But simply put, he isn't the headliner he used to be.

For the most part, Golden State's braintrust has failed in surrounding him with the type of players that pique current fans' interest.  So unless the Warriors are like a top four team - which is possible I guess - no one is even going to really care to watch them.

As I said before, they needed Lebron more than anyone on his shortlist in terms of generating sales.  But instead, we're going to be treated to yet another season of neverending Draymond, hoping Steph stays healthy and waiting for Jimmy to get back on the court.

Hate to beat a dead horse, but if this were to be the case, i.e. the Dubs insisting on a core of 35+ year old players, then they should've just kept Klay around (or perhaps bring him back).  At least then, we can be treated to some true Splash Bros. magic every now and then, and I have to imagine that Thompson being back will also be exciting to fans (if they can win).

CONCLUSION

The Sixers, I mean it's hard to tell, because Kawhi may still be going to the Raptors.  It's hard to tell, whether with or without Lebron, if this team is the favorite in the East.  Their wing core cannot match defensively with that of the Knicks.  In other words, despite experiencing one of those extremely rare offseasons where a team lands two A-listers, there's still work to be done here.  And in hindsight, maybe they should've made more of an effort to acquire someone like Mitchell Robinson to backup Embiid.  

Lebron - The King of Player Empowerment

I don't think anyone foresaw that this offseason was going to be just as dramatic starring Lebron as "The Decision" was back in the day.  Back in 2010, the drama surrounded King James holding something like a news conference to announce his free agency decision which, like I can't think of any other sports star who ever did that, even to this day.

Now, a solid 16 years later, it's rather about dude taking his sweet, aged time in officially deciding where to go.  For all we know, he may even end up just being like 'fuck it, I quit'.

Sometimes, looking at the way he's behaving, you get the impression that maybe he's uninspired by this point, no longer being a max player and shit like that.  James Harden is slated to make more money than Lebron next season, if you can imagine that.

LBJ, defensive shortcomings and all, is more effective than many, if not most max players out there, which kinda makes you wonder why he's being forced to take such a massive paycut to begin with.  He's a reigning allstar, for crying out loud, about to take a vet min.  That's unheard of.

But that being said, since he is still delaying and still the biggest headline in the NBA, I wanted to use this opportunity to revisit how he may fare on the teams he shortlisted.  Nothing has really changed from three weeks ago, other than more stars from those franchises making their pitches.

What I do find interesting is that no player from other teams that could clearly use Lebron (like the Pistons) haven't at least pressed their luck.  No one wants to feel embarrassed or ignored or humiliated.  But at the same time, as the old saying goes, "you have to be in it to win it".

Lebron delaying has given us all a chance to think more deeply about his preferred options.  So here's an updated analysis of the LBJ sweepstakes:

FEELING SORRY FOR THE LAKERS

But first off, let's start with LAL because, they're now the shining example of braintrust asininity, of what happens when you put the wrong minds in charge of a premiere franchise.  Why would you force your most popular player out the door, just to come out of it all looking worse than before?  I dare anybody to call the Lakers a contender.

They aren't in the worse of situations tho.  They still have Luka, one of the few players who can consistently takeover games.  LAL also has been the recipient of perhaps more favoritism than any other team in recent years.  That favor doesn't translate into multiple championships like it used to, but maybe it still exists.  And also they're now, surprisingly enough, the whitest team in the NBA, and, you know, we are living in the Trump era.

That said, if these guys don't actually win games, they're going to quickly transform into the team you love you hate.  And when their mediocrity does become apparent, remember who pointed it out first, how this offseason has been a bust, unless the primary goal was simply to get rid of Lebron and come out of it all at least looking they're trying to compete.

Upon James's departure, these dudes instantly gained $50+ million in spending money - i.e. superstar, franchise player dough - and used it basically to sign Walker Kessler, who you can't even confidently predict will ever make an allstar game.  All things considered, they prolly would have been better off exercising patience and keeping it in the bank.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

A couple of weeks ago, I said out of all teams on Lebron's shortlist, Philly was the best option in terms of him actually winning a championship, and the media quickly picked up on that idea.  But I don't feel as strongly about that as I did before.  

If Lebron does go there, I'm foreseeing something like Embiid managing his load for the entire regular season and then returning for the postseason.  When it comes to load management, I guess you can pull it off and still win when your core consists of really talented, veteran players.  It didn't work for the Celtics last season, but you know what I mean.

The problem with Philly is that yes, they've had an exceptional offseason, but who's going to backup Joel?  Or put otherwise, why didn't they place more of a priority on landing a backup C, instead of focusing on wings?

When dude inevitably misses large swarths of the season or perhaps even postseason, are we really supposed to expect an aged Lebron to play the 5, now in the Wemby era?  Maybe it's possible that the Sixers + Lebron can win it all even with a hobbled Embiid, but all things considered I doubt it.

MIAMI HEAT

I've now come to favor the Heat more, based on one simple realization.  Actually, I was watching some 'NBA greatest highlights' clip which featured this ECF game, I think from 2007, where Lebron scored 25 points straight(!), mostly on jumpshots, and led the Cavs to a come-from-behind victory.

Then, I was thinking about those performances he put up against the Thunder a couple of months ago, as well as some of his past All-Star games.  And this is the realization I came to - Lebron can actually shoot.  I don't know what his percentages and all that kinda shit looks like, but in big games he can make jumpshots.

Even if they did score King James, it can be argued that Heat's roster lacks shooting as compared to competitors, but it isn't as bad as it may look on paper.  And the best thing about this scenario is that finally, Lebron would be on a roster, with Giannis + Bam down low, that actually rationalizes him playing like a G despite his size.

Also, here's another thing to keep in mind.  When Lebron returned to the Cavs, the implication was that he did so in part due to feeling guilty, given the way he deserted them the first time around.  Well, if that's the way you feel about it, then it can be said that he did the Heat even dirtier, because they were actually contenders when he bounced.  So, that's just something to keep in mind.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Cleveland also has twin towers, and Lebron + Allen + Mobley would be absolutely fearful.  Those latter two may not be as all-around talented as Giannis + Bam, but needing the King's scoring more, they may be a better fit.

But that said, I'm still having a hard time picturing LBJ and the Beard playing together.  As the old NBA Inception adage goes, "two chucks don't make a right".

Spider, btw, is a chuck also, though more deservingly so than Harden imo.  But unlike the Beard, he knows how to defer yet still prove effective, so I can picture him coexisting with Lebron.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

There hasn't been a lot less chatter of late about the possibility of LBJ going to Minnesota or Denver.  But here's an interesting observation about the Twolves.  Lebron is actually more level-headed at the point than LaMelo is, so it's not like he would absolutely have to play the 4.  Also, Lebron + Gobert may actually work, perhaps being an even better fit than Lebron + AD, because by this point in his career, LBJ is strictly offense, while Rudy is strictly defense.  James can not only play point but also mitigate Minny's lowpost scoring deficiencies.

In hindsight, yes, you have to applaud the Wolves for being aggressive and making bold, headline-generating moves.  Randle, all things considered, had to go.  But losing Reid hurts, and I'm not convinced Minny needs LaMelo as much as they needed Naz.  And if Lebron does come to town, LaMelo is going to have to learn to play off the ball, which I'm not sure he can do.

DENVER NUGGETS

The Nuggets, not OKC, is the poster child for a team who's paying so much for their core that they lack financial flexibility to put the right pieces around them.  And I guess you could say relatedly, they also have a really hard time retaining quality role players.  Concerning Denver's braintrust, they are above average and have been for like the last 20+ years.  But bold they are not.

So this coming season, even if they do re-sign Watson, they'll also likely be the poster child for a team that's unable to capitalize on the youth wave.  They aren't as confined to the geriatric ward as the Warriors are.  But calling these dudes contenders, even with (the overrated) Jokic, is a stretch.

And the interesting thing about it is that if Lebron does come over, he'll likely play the 2, replacing Braun basically, because there's no logical reason really to move Gordon or Watson out of the (starting) frontline to accommodate him.  Wow, old ass Lebron, despite his defensive deficiencies, is still a deserving starter, regardless of which of these teams he goes to.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

I already made an argument for the Warriors in my last post.  LBJ's presence isn't likely to translate into a championship given their current roster (and the injuries thereof), but it will be really exciting from a fan standpoint.  Despite not looking like contenders on paper and despite headlining stars from a generation ago, the Warriors will instantly become the most must-watch team in the NBA (though it's going to be painful when Lebron or Steph are injured).

And I mean, who knows?  If Steph had just one consistent scoring partner, dudes actually would've made the playoffs last postseason.

You can believe in miracles with Curry on your squad.  And when dudes actually want to play together, I mean a lot of times shit like that doesn't work out.  But given LBJ's and Steph's resume, and if this organization can effectively embrace youth a bit more, maybe something special can happen.  And please, if you haven't already, get the Gauntlet back.  Like learn from the past type shit.

"A BUSINESS DECISION"

Note how Rich Paul most recently pointed out, twice, that choosing his next team is "a business choice" for Lebron.  He didn't say anything about being close to his family or the possibility of winning a championship.  And indeed, what would it really matter if Lebron won more championships?  Even if he did reach Jordan it wouldn't mean as much since, regardless of what team he goes to, he isn't likely to be the primary option.

That's something to also keep in mind, that out of all the teams on LBJ's shortlist the Warriors are in a position to pay him the most.  In the grand scheme of his finances, $15mil(!) may not be much.  But going back to the James Harden / max player argument presented earlier, how much you're paid is considered a sign of respect.  And btw, with Bronny and the fam being based in LA, San Fran is also nearer than any of his other options.

CONCLUSION

The way players are taking paycuts and shit like that, it may look like the ball is shifting back into the owners' court.  But the Lebron era has not officially concluded yet.  You have Silver and co. like 'dude, make your decision already, so we can put the TV schedule together'.  And his response is basically like 'kiss my ass, I'm taking my time'.

That's one thing we're going to miss if Lebron ever retires, as he is the king of player empowerment.  These young superstars dominating the league these days, they don't appear to have that type of destiny.