Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has a new podcast out called “The Pullup”, and after the first episode he’s already making headlines. According to McCollum, he thinks people are discounting the idea of LeBron James leaving the Cavs for the 76ers.
Via the Pull Up podcast:
“He’s always calculated about his decision-making process going back to his youth. Ben [Simmons] is his young guy. Ben is a member of Klutch Sports, so that also could play a factor.
Philly is in the Eastern Conference. LeBron has been fond of the Eastern Conference throughout his career on what seems to be his EZ-Pass to the Finals.
I think it’s a bigger possibility than people think. I’m not sure if they have the space financially for that. Obviously, they have a lot of guys on rookie deals right now. But they would need to get some more shooters in there if they do want to bring Bron in.”
Heres why LeBron on the 76ers doesn’t make sense
Ben Simmons can’t shoot the ball…. thats it. Plain & Simple. Why are they going to turn him into Kevin Love, sitting in the corner waiting to knock down a jump shot? If anything LeBron would have to take on that role.
Joel Embiid fits on the court with anyone, so LeBron & Embiid would be an insane combination, but the team is building around Ben Simmons and I don’t think this helps his growth. Of course the argument back is “What do you mean it won’t help his growth, LeBron is the GOAT and will teach him so many things about the game”. There is truth in that, Ben Simmons can spend 2-3 years learning from LeBron, but I just don’t think Simmons & LBJ will mesh on the court.
But then again…. I didn’t think CP3 & Harden could work, and that was because I didn’t believe CP3 was wiling to take a step back. Maybe LeBron is ready to take the same step back, because I don’t think having Ben Simmons do it is smart.
What Team Is The Best Fit For LeBron
James reportedly has just three teams on his list: the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Sixers. I think the Rockets makes sense, CP3 is part of his close knit of banana boat friends, and we all know the talk around him going to the Lakers.
I do think the Lakers make sense basketball wise, despite all the hate, Lonzo Ball actually can shoot and Brandon Ingram & Kyle Kuzma are the real deal.
As long as LeBron doesn’t care about dealing with the inevitable headlines that Lavar Ball will create they should land him. Can you just imagine a year from now, LeBron has an off night and Lavar Ball says something stupid, and the media is asking him about it before a playoff game. You really think he wants to deal with that? I’m not sure he does.
The Teams No-one is Talking About That LeBron Should Consider
The Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are one of the most exciting young teams in the league. Jamaal Murray is a future All Star, Gary Harris is a very solid player, & I actually think Trey Lyles and Malik Beasley will become nice players as well.
But the underrated thing with this team, they have one of the best forward/center combinations in the league. Nikola Jokic is a really unique player. Like a young Marc Gasol, but better. He passes, shoots, dribbles, I think him and LeBron would be special together. And then you also have Paul Millsap, the constant professional, he is essentially a right handed Chris Bosh.
I’m not sure what the deal is with Kenneth Faried these days, but LBJ did play with him on the FIBA/Olympic teams back in the day, Mason Plumlee is a nice young athletic center, & Will Barton is also a solid rotational player.
I think the reason LeBron fits on this team is because they don’t have a Point Guard. Jamal Murray is really a 2 guard in my opinion. If LeBron went to the Nuggets, that big man combination of LBJ, Jokic, & Millsap would be special, and LBJ would run the show still. On all these other teams, I don’t really see him running the show.
Portland Trailblazers
Its funny that C.J McCollum is the reason for this post, yet I actually think the Blazers are one of the best fits for LBJ. Lillard & McCollum can both play off the ball, and are knock down shooters. They also can create for LeBron the same way he benefited from Kyrie.
LeBron once tweeted out that Shabazz Napier was the best point guard in college basketball, which inspired Pat Riley to draft him in hopes it would keep LBJ in Miami, so you know he is a fan of his game.
Zach Collins has a lot of potential, Ed Davis is a solid rim protector, Jusuf Nurkic is very skilled for a big man. Aminu & Turner aren’t my favorites, but they do seem to compete and are solid rotational players. They are the #3 team in the West, imagine if they added LBJ
Here are my rankings on who I think Lebron (PURELY FROM A BASKETBALL PERSPECTIVE) fits best on.
- Denver Nuggets
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Portland Trailblazers
WHAT TEAM DO YOU THINK THE KING SHOULD CHOOSE? LET ME KNOW IF THE COMMENTS SECTION!