A lot of people have been asking me for my take on the NBA being completely rejigged, and here’s my honest view. I think the Philadelphia 76ers are absolutely stacked. LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. That is one of the most complete starting groups we have seen in a long time, and I genuinely believe they have to be the favourites to come out of the Eastern Conference. The biggest argument everyone is making is ball usage. Too many stars, too many players who need the ball and too many egos to manage. I understand the argument, but I simply don’t buy it. This is Year 24 LeBron James. If there is one player in the history of the game whom I would trust to make a complicated team work, it is him. He has seen every defensive scheme, every locker-room situation and every kind of playoff pressure imaginable. He also no longer has to carry a team for 38 minutes every night. Manage his minutes during the regular season (28 mins a night), keep him fresh and then give me a rested LeBron in the playoffs. I know a thing or two about pressure and performing in big moments, and I am telling you, a well-rested LeBron James with possibly the greatest basketball IQ the game has ever seen is going to be a massive problem. When the games become tight and every possession matters, I don’t know who comes close to him in terms of understanding exactly what is required. Of course, people will talk about Embiid’s health, but assuming he is fit, Philadelphia has quality options across the roster. They have size, shooting, defence, experience and players capable of covering different positions. VJ can defend guards and bring energy without needing the ball constantly. Jaylen Brown can take the toughest perimeter assignment. Embiid protects the paint, Maxey gives them speed and scoring, and LeBron controls everything. What is really scary is the development still left in this team. Maxey has already had one of the biggest development curves in the league over the last few years, and VJ still has another level to reach. You see the videos coming out, and these boys already look completely locked in. Now imagine that young core spending an entire season learning from LeBron. They have the talent, they have the shooting, and now they have the greatest possible person to guide the entire thing. Trust me, this is going to be a problem. Can the Knicks upset them? Of course, anything can happen in sport, but personally, I don’t see it. I also don’t see a young Oklahoma City team beating a healthy Philadelphia four times in seven games. The Sixers have too much experience, too many defensive options and too many people who can decide a game when things get difficult. I genuinely believe this team wins at least one championship and potentially two. For me personally, I already rate LeBron above Michael Jordan, but I also have to be honest about why. I never watched Jordan play live, and I have only been following basketball seriously for the last two or two and a half years whenever my schedule allows me to. So I can only judge what I have actually watched and understood. For me, LeBron’s longevity, adaptability and the level at which he continues to perform make him the greatest. What he is doing while chasing Father Time is honestly ridiculous. If this Philadelphia team gives him two more rings over the next two seasons and he finishes with six championships across four different franchises, I don’t think even the neutrals will have much left to fight about. At that point, for me, that chapter is closed. But for now get me some 🍿