Joel Embiid has wanted this for years. There’s actually an old tweet from Embiid trying to recruit LeBron James to Philadelphia, and now that it’s actually happening, the Sixers center finally gets what he asked for.
They already won gold together in Paris. But the real prize comes next: an NBA championship.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins thinks this isn’t just another superstar pairing. The 41-year-old James, entering his 24th season, brings something Embiid has never really had. A true mentor.
“Joel Embiid, this is what he has been waiting on,” Perkins said. “He has been waiting on a guy like LeBron James to come in and not only play alongside him, but be a mentor to him.”
Perkins went further. He predicted we’ll see the best version of Embiid yet, and it’s not just about what happens on the court.
“LeBron James’ IQ and what he brings to the table, what he brings off the floor, how to be a professional, how to take care of your body. We’re going to see a different version of Joel Embiid.”
Embiid has played with All-Stars before. Ben Simmons. Jimmy Butler. James Harden. Paul George. None of them changed his career arc the way Perkins expects James to. And that makes sense when you think about Embiid’s biggest problem.
The guy just can’t stay healthy. He’s battled major injuries every season. The MVP award was a testament to his talent, but the playoff exits and missed games remain the story of his prime.
James showed on the Lakers he can take a back seat when needed. That should help the Sixers’ chemistry. There are early concerns about how this works, obviously. But James has a reputation for making teammates better. And Embiid? He’s always trusted the process.
Now the process has LeBron James attached to it. That changes the math. And maybe, finally, it changes Embiid’s career too.
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