LeBron James is yet to make a decision on his much-awaited free agency, but if Bob Myers had a chance to make a recruiting pitch face-to-face, he knows exactly what he would say. According to the former Golden State Warriors executive, joining the Philadelphia 76ers gives LeBron the clearest path to winning one more NBA championship.
Speaking on the Game Over podcast, alongside Rich Paul and Max Kellerman, Myers didn’t hesitate when asked about how he would recruit the four-time MVP.
“If he was here, I’d tell him, honestly, I believe this is your best chance to win. Now, he has to decide everything else that’s equally important because it’s his life. He’s the one who has to play. He’s the one who has to deal with the scrutiny. No matter what decision he makes, half the people are going to say he should’ve done something else. They’re going to criticize him either way. He’s been through all of that before.”
“What I would say is, if it’s strictly about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philadelphia. If you want to talk about the other stuff—what this guy is like, what that guy is like—by the way, he knows these players, probably better than I do. He knows their games.”
“This is a guy who probably watches more basketball than anybody. He’s not just playing the game. He’s watching games in February that nobody else is watching. So he doesn’t just know the players. He knows exactly how they play.”
It’s an interesting statement because Myers isn’t speaking as an outsider. While Mike Gansey now runs basketball operations and Jameer Nelson has been promoted within the organization, Myers remains the President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Sixers. His opinion surely carries significant weight inside the franchise.
The Sixers have certainly built an impressive roster this offseason. Their blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown changed the outlook of the team. If everyone is healthy, a potential starting lineup of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid would become the most talented starting lineup in the NBA.
And that’s what Myers was selling.
But the problem for the Sixers is that being a great basketball fit might not be enough. Recent reports continue to suggest that the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the favorites to land James. Multiple insiders, including Brian Windhorst, have reported that teams around the league are operating in a way that suggests LeBron is headed back home. Rich Paul did identify the Cavaliers and the Sixers as two of the most realistic destinations, but reports suggest Cleveland has the lead.
The Sixers obviously have concerns. Joel Embiid’s health has been one of the biggest question marks in the league. While Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey provide tremendous support, LeBron would still have to believe that Embiid can stay healthy when the playoffs arrive.
The decision appears to be drawing closer, and while Cleveland may currently have the momentum, Philadelphia has now made its pitch loud and clear. If winning is truly the only priority, Bob Myers believes the 76ers offer LeBron James his best chance to capture championship number five.
