It is fairly potential that the Philadelphia 76ers have constructed essentially the most spectacular tremendous staff within the historical past of NBA tremendous groups. Whereas the expertise caliber is excessive, that does not imply this group will have the ability to work collectively. If this crew of All-Stars cannot cooperate, it will likely be yet one more tough Philly season.
The system in Philadelphia has been operating on fumes for a while. Drafting Joel Embiid third general in 2014 was presupposed to be the start of a brand new period for the 76ers. As an alternative, it has been 12 seasons of second-round ejections, assuming that they even made the playoffs in any respect.
A part of the issue with out query has been Embiid’s availability. He has missed 485 video games in 12 seasons, largely as a consequence of harm, whereas enjoying in 490. That is almost a 50/50 break up. To be honest to Embiid, the person has horrible luck. He missed the primary few video games of the 2026 playoffs as a consequence of appendicitis.
Embiid is not the true challenge. In actuality, it was the entrance workplace’s incapacity to place collectively a staff that would capitalize on his dominance whereas remaining aggressive with out him. That has modified lately with the rise of Tyrese Maxey and the drafting of V.J. Edgecombe, in addition to the 2026 offseason.
The 76ers have to be the paragon of cooperation to succeed
Philly has made two of the highest 5 greatest strikes because the finish of the season. First, they in some way tricked the Celtics into giving them Jaylen Brown in alternate for Paul George. Second, they managed to signal unrestricted free agent LeBron James to a veteran minimal contract.
If you happen to’re retaining monitor, that provides the 76ers a beginning lineup consisting of Embiid, Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, and James. That is two NBA Champions, two league MVPs, 4 All-Stars, 4 All-NBA staff members, and one of many prime three rookies of 2025-2026.
The one query is that if this crew can truly work collectively. Assuming they will all put their respective egos apart and really play as a staff, this may very well be essentially the most dominant franchise within the Jap Convention. However they is also undone by their very own hubris in two particular circumstances.
Followers know that Embiid, Maxey, and Edgecombe make staff. They proved that final season. The x-factors listed here are James and Brown. It stays to be seen if these two particularly can coexist on the identical roster. That particular relationship will outline if this season results in success or failure in Philly.
Is there an excessive amount of historical past between James and Brown?
Brown was drafted third general in 2016 by the Celtics. At that time, James had already been within the league for 13 seasons. The King headed to the Lakers a few seasons after Brown’s debut. Anybody who follows basketball is aware of precisely how deep the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics is.
Each gamers are extremely aggressive, and have confronted off a number of occasions within the common season. Their solely postseason duel occurred in 2018 when James was nonetheless in Cleveland. The Cavs received the collection, but it surely was one heck of a combat. In some circumstances, there have been literal fights. It received intense.
On prime of that, there was a little bit of off-court rigidity between the 2 gamers, particularly referring to Brown’s 2024 feedback about James‘ son. From the skin, it looks as if James and Brown are good with one another, and they’re each professionals in spite of everything. Nonetheless, the proof is within the pudding.
Actually, nobody is aware of what that is going to seem like till all 5 gamers hit the court docket and go to work. If nothing else, Philly now has a squad that may stay aggressive, if not dominant, when Embiid is injured. That’s one thing that ought to scare the remainder of the NBA.
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