Would LeBron James Make the Warriors Better Than the 76ers?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Sporting Tribune Today

Would LeBron James Have Been a Better Fit With the Warriors?

With the Warriors playing well and sitting at 8-3, the discussion turned to how LeBron James might have fit alongside Steph Curry. Their performance together at the Olympics showed what their combination could look like, while Yaxel’s emergence has made the possibility even more intriguing.

The argument for Philadelphia was that LeBron has more options around him, including the youth of Maxi and Edgecombe, as well as Jalen Brown. Based on how the rosters looked when the decision was made, Philadelphia appeared to be the better choice.

Health could change that comparison. Jimmy Butler and Embiid bring similar uncertainty in terms of availability. If Butler were currently struggling on the court like Embiid, there would be a stronger argument for Golden State.

Yaxel’s production has also altered the conversation. With 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, he was described as a tough player who does the dirty work and has quickly become a fan favorite. Pairing him with LeBron, Draymond Green and Steph Curry, followed by Butler’s return after Christmas, would create a compelling lineup. Yaxel was characterized as a bigger, younger and stronger version of Butler.

The Sixers’ concern has been their tendency to lose energy, particularly when Embiid is on the floor. The offense has to run through him, which can make it appear as though another piece is still missing.

Golden State, however, would have offered unmatched attention. A LeBron and Curry partnership was compared to the Beatles traveling the world and the 1996 Bulls, with Yaxel emerging as a surprise Scottie Pippen figure, Draymond Green filling the Charles Oakley role and Pod Zingus drawing a comparison to Steve Kerr.

Even with that potential, LeBron’s decision to join Philadelphia was viewed as the right one. Playing with Curry would have been special, but it also would have meant ending his career alongside a player he battled for a decade. Ultimately, the belief remains that Philadelphia is the best team in the East, regardless of what happened tonight.