Inequity equaled

For so many years, the NBA’s Western Conference had been stacked with strong teams but because of the decision, again, of someone to bring his talents back to the East, it changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference this coming season.

LeBron James may be 41 and he has sputtered a bit as compared to five years ago, but he averaged 21 points a game last season and carried the Lakers past the first round of the playoffs without Luka Doncic and an off-form Austin Reaves.   He can still bully his way through most of the 525 players in the league.

Because he believed that with him around, Philadelphia would have the best chance of giving him another championship, LeBron signed the league’s biggest bargain contract, a veteran’s minimum of $8 million for two years, with a player option on the second year. He made more money as a teenaged rookie in 2003-2004 with $4.02 million.

His 25th season in the league could be blurry as he mentioned that after this season, he is genuinely considering retirement. This makes Philadelphia’s title window now or never. The last time the Sixers won the championship was in 1983 with Julius Erving and Moses Malone, sweeping the Lakers.

On paper, the Sixers are headed to challenge the New York Knicks and any other pretenders to the throne in both conferences. The projected starting lineup of LeBron, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe is dangerously potent but the Sixers have a thin rotation. This again will result in heavy usage for the mentioned players and could result in player burnout.

This is especially true for Embiid. Last season because of health issues, he only played 38 games. The Sixers need his per game averages of 29 points and 7 rebounds if they intend to fight for the EC crown then move on to the NBA championships.

Headlined by the Knicks, the EC is going big time with the core of conference finalist Cleveland intact. Detroit should be getting Jalen Duren back and might equal their 60 wins last season. Orlando has the same talent that almost upset the Pistons in the first round. Indiana could be in contention with the return of Tyrese Haliburton from injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo pairing with Bam Adebayo makes Miami scary. Toronto could finally have Kawhi Leonard back if the salary cap circumvention issue were settled. Washington has Anthony Davis and Trae Young leading a young core led by this year’s top pick AJ Dybantsa.

Inequity in conferences has been equaled in the NBA. Lebron has always been destined for greatness and a hot topic on GOAT debates but, in my opinion, his legacy will be defined in free agency.