Magic Johnson thinks LeBron James‘ greatest strength could be the ultimate key to making the Philadelphia 76ers‘ star-studded lineup work.
The 76ers have assembled the most talented group in the league after adding LeBron and Jaylen Brown next to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe. So, with so many players accustomed to major offensive roles, figuring out how everyone fits together will be one of the Sixers’ biggest challenges.
But Magic isn’t particularly concerned.
Speaking in an interview with Scoop B Robinson, the Lakers legend explained why LeBron’s playmaking should make the adjustment very easy.
“Well, it’s going to be easy when you’re a playmaker, you know. So he gets everybody involved in the game. He gets people easy buckets and shots.”
“And so when you think about Maxey and Embiid, all those guys, now Jaylen Brown. One thing that he knows how to do is also bring everybody together.”
That has been one of LeBron’s defining qualities throughout his career. While he has been an elite scorer for more than two decades, LeBron has consistently operated as a facilitator capable of creating opportunities for his teammates.
And the Sixers won’t be short on players who will be ready to capitalize on these opportunities.
Maxey provides explosive scoring in the backcourt, Embiid remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive weapons when healthy, and Brown gives the Sixers another proven scorer on the wing. And even Edgecombe is coming off a great rookie season.
The question, however, is how the Sixers distribute touches.
Interestingly, Johnson raised the exact concern when reacting to LeBron’s move. He noted that LeBron, Brown, Embiid, and Maxey are all used to having the ball in their hands, and he said that he was interested in what type of offense Nick Nurse will run.
Johnson also identified defense and chemistry as the two biggest questions surrounding the Sixers, warning that if the Sixers solve both issues, the NBA needs to watch out.
And his latest comments suggest that he has great faith in LeBron to solve the chemistry part of that equation.
LeBron has plenty of experience playing next to stars, from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat, to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love with the Cleveland Cavaliers, to Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, and later Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as well.
He has spent much of his career adjusting his game next to elite talent.
The situation in Philadelphia would require another major adjustment, particularly at this stage of his career. But it could also lessen the offensive burden on the 41-year-old by surrounding him with multiple players who are capable of getting their own shots.
Johnson has been supportive of his departure from Los Angeles. He thanked LeBron and Rich Paul for meeting him during his tenure as Lakers president in 2018 and credited LeBron for creating a new era in LA and winning the 2020 NBA championship.
He also believes that Lakers fans should welcome LeBron when Philadelphia visits Los Angeles on Christmas Day.
Now Johnson sees another reason LeBron should succeed in Philadelphia. The Sixers might have several stars who need the basketball, but in his view, LeBron’s ability to get everyone involved and bring different personalities together could be exactly why this superteam could work.
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