“MATTer of Opinion” Sports Column: shooting some b-ball outside of the school

Next season, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James will be on the reigning Eastern Conference Championship team: the Philadelphia 76ers.

If you watch the RO Sports Show weekly then you have already heard me say that I think the Sixers will represent the East in the NBA Finals. You may also have heard me say for the better part of two months that I fully expect James to head to the City of Brotherly Love this offseason.

 

The way the playoffs are going could be an indicator that I’m right.

 

Even with a couple of all-time performances from James, the Cleveland Cavaliers barely squeaked by the Indiana Pacers in round one of the playoffs.

 

Of course, the Cavs’ struggles are going to generate a lot of conversation around LeBron’s impending free agency. From his poor relationship with owner Dan Gilbert to the Cavs’ lackluster roster, the chances of James leaving seem increasingly high.

 

The Sixers have been rumored as one of James’ potential destinations for a while, but those rumors seem to be gaining steam. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, folks in Philly’s front office have growing confidence that they can lure “the King” this summer.

 

Whether it be staying in the East of joining with his Klutch Sports buddy Ben Simmons, there are plenty of reasons for LeBron to make his way to Philly. The Sixers would give him a clear path to the NBA Finals while surrounding him with far more talent than he currently has in Cleveland.

 

Ties to home and the major marketing advantages of Los Angeles could push James in several directions, and that’s understandable. A player of his magnitude joining the Lakers would make a major dent in the history books. Or he might not want to leave Cleveland again.

 

But, from a basketball standpoint, the Sixers make more sense for LeBron than just about any other team.

 

A potential incentive to joining Philly is rest. James, at 33-years-old, led the league in minutes on a Cavaliers squad that desperately needed his presence to win games. The Sixers could afford to let him take extended breaks while Simmons runs the show.

 

How the rest of the postseason plays out could go a long way in determining where James heads in July. It seems highly likely, though, that the Sixers will at least be on his short list.