Dear LeBron James: Stay Away From My Philadelphia 76ers
There was no other way to do this but to sit and write down my thoughts after the Cleveland Cavaliers lost another NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. With the loss, LeBron James will head into the summer faced with some difficult decisions. One of those is James heading to the Philadelphia 76ers to pair his talents with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. As a life-long Sixers fans, this cannot happen.
Dear LeBron James,
My name is Mark Wilson. I was born and raised in North Philadelphia. As a fan of the Sixers, Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies, I also know what it’s like to root for losing teams. But not anymore. This city’s sports scene is as alive as its ever been. So why?
I get it. The Cavs suck and you need an escape, but correct me if I’m wrong. Haven’t you done this before? Not once but twice to be exact. You left your hometown team because they couldn’t get it done against the Boston Celtics. Then you headed down to Miami to play with your friends and won 2 of 4 titles. Yes, just two of four well, because YOU couldn’t get it done even when you had a stacked deck. After you saw the writing on the wall for that Miami Heat team with Dwyane Wade slowing down, you bolted again to form another Super Team. This time, in four tries, you only won one title. Yes, the Warriors were just as stacked but remember, YOU did that. You forced other teams to go that route. That was all you.
Now, after your sixth Finals loss, you have a few teams on your list of potential suitors. With the Philadelphia 76ers being one of them, I must warn you to stay away from my team. We may need someone like YOU, but we don’t want YOU. The Sixers are young and they need a winner. Embiid and Simmons are talented but they must be led by a player they can look to when times get tough in the playoffs and you’re just not that guy.
In Game 4 of the Finals, your team was facing elimination. Not just being eliminated but on the verge of being swept. And what did you do? You attempted just 13 shots when they needed you to attempt 31. This is what winners and leaders do. They rise to the occasion. So why would a young impressionable team like the Philadelphia 76ers want you doing the same thing to them?
I mean, we didn’t fully get what Kyrie Irving was thinking when he asked for a trade. But now, we understand. He saw the writing on the wall. He knew you didn’t have it in you to get the job done. It was like when Scottie Pippen went to play with the Houston Rockets when Charles Barkley was there. Pippen would go on to say that Michael Jordan told him not to do it because Barkley didn’t have that winning mentality. It’s the same with you. There’s no denying the talent level you have but that killer instinct separates you from the rest of the legends.
This is not the first time you have quit on a team. Philly is a proud blue-collar city. We love hard and we hold grudges even longer. You’re not a fit here. There’s no doubt that if you come we will have a parade on Broad Street. I truly do believe that only because we have the pieces to win. The Philadelphia 76ers just need that player to get us there. Nine Finals appearances are nothing to laugh at. You’re good at winning the East, just terrible at winning championships. A player like you is exactly what the team was lacking against the Boston Celtics. Someone who can create their own shot. If we had that, the Sixers may be the ones holding that Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Do The Philadelphia 76ers Really Need LeBron James?
And you know this, that’s why you have the Philadelphia 76ers on your short list. But think about this for a minute. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard can do the same things you can. They’re younger and won’t come with all the baggage you will. But still, you have a great relationship with Simmons and the rest of the team looks up to you and the fans, for some reason, truly believe you will be the savior. Sorry, LeBron James, but I just don’t want it.
I love the Sixers so much, that I believe we don’t need you. Some will call me crazy but a superstar, possibly going to his 4th team does not scream loyalty. We pride ourselves on loyalty here. Why do you think Allen Iverson is so beloved in Philly? Can you offer us that? Can you guarantee a championship? Can you guarantee that in Game 7 you won’t flake out? If you can answer yes to those questions, then welcome to Philly. If not, stay the hell away from my Philadelphia 76ers.
[BXReporter]
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
