Danny Green doesn’t think a fifth NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers would change LeBron James‘ place in the GOAT debate.
Speaking on the Inside the Green Room podcast, the three-time NBA champion said that he doesn’t think winning another title as a third or fourth option would change or add anything to LeBron’s already historic legacy.
“This situation is similar to being in Golden State, Miami or Cleveland. Once you join those teams, you’re still a contender. You’re not the favorite, but you’re in a better position than staying in L.A. To me, this helped them get better, but it does not automatically put them in contention. Mind you, a lot of this relies on Joel Embiid’s health. This doesn’t add to your legacy.”
“His legacy is where it’s at. You getting a championship as the third or fourth option is not going to make people say, ‘Oh, you’re the GOAT now.’ Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown are the best players on that team. Then it’s Joel Embiid, then it’s LeBron James. You are now the fourth option. So, do you think him winning a championship as the fourth option makes his legacy more solidified as the GOAT? I don’t think so. It is what it is at this point. Winning a fifth ring would be nice, but you aren’t the main guy, so nobody’s going to look at you or give you extra credit for doing this.”
“Now, winning a championship in a place like Philly is special. The city will forever love you. You can call it home. You’ll be treated like how Jalen Brunson is treated in New York. But it’s Philly. How often are you really going to… You might as well sign in New York for that type of money, $4 million. You could have signed in New York and done that. Mind you, he doesn’t want to ride the coattails, so I get what you’re saying.”
“But I feel like this scenario could have played out in many other organizations the same way it’s going to play out in Philly because a lot of it is risky. It’s up in the air with the health of Joel Embiid and the rest of the company. There’s not a lot of depth on the bench or what they have there. I think there are still more moves to be made. But he could have done the same thing in Cleveland. He could have done the same thing in Golden State.”
“There are a lot of other teams that had something to offer where he could have been the third or fourth option and been in contention in the East or West. Maybe Boston. Maybe Indiana. I don’t know. He could have gone to some places and been in a similar type of situation.”
The former NBA veteran said that Philadelphia has become a stronger team by adding James, but he stopped short of calling them championship favorites.
For Green, as for everyone else, Embiid’s health remains the biggest variable.
The former MVP has battled injuries throughout his NBA career, and the 76ers’ championship hopes once again depend on whether he can stay healthy throughout the postseason. Even LeBron had major concerns about Joel Embiid’s health before he joined, but a private meeting between the two eased those concerns as LeBron finally chose Philadelphia.
But Green doesn’t think that LeBron would be the first option in Philadelphia anymore. Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid are somewhat better players than LeBron at this point in time.
So because of that, LeBron would not receive the same level of credit he earned when he was leading other championship teams.
But Green made sure to say that winning in Philadelphia would not be insignificant. But he also doubted whether the Sixers were the only place that could offer LeBron what he wanted: a chance to win another title. Danny Green also hinted at several other destinations where LeBron could have played a supporting role to win a championship.
Green might have a point. He could have gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs or even the New York Knicks if he just wanted another title.
But LeBron didn’t do that.
Even if the Philadelphia 76ers have the most stacked roster in the league, there is still no guarantee they’re going to win the title.
They’re not even the favorites to win the title. The Sixers still have issues with depth, major concerns about Embiid’s health, and questions about chemistry because they have four dominant ball creators and just one ball.
So it remains to be seen if LeBron’s decision to head to Philadelphia is actually vindicated. Whether LeBron agrees with what Danny Green has to say remains to be seen.
His move to the Philadelphia 76ers gives him a chance to win another title and become the first player to win championships with four different franchises.
If the 76ers do reach the mountaintop, Green doesn’t think it would rewrite the GOAT debate. He believes LeBron’s legacy is already complete, and another title as a fourth option would just be an impressive achievement, not the achievement that would settle the GOAT debate once and for all.
