For years, the Raptors had one playoff problem they couldn’t solve. His name was LeBron James.
Now, after spending the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s back in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, James has agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, giving the East another legitimate contender and reminding Raptors fans of a rivalry they’d probably rather leave in the past.
There aren’t many players who have shaped Raptors history without ever wearing the jersey. LeBron is one of them.
Toronto was coming off some of the best regular seasons in franchise history between 2016 and 2018. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had turned the Raptors into one of the NBA’s most consistent teams. Every postseason, though, there was one obstacle. The Cavaliers. More specifically, LeBron James.
The Raptors pushed Cleveland to six games in the 2016 Eastern Conference Final, but that was as close as they ever got. The next two seasons ended in sweeps, including the unforgettable 2018 series that gave birth to the nickname “LeBronto.”
That series changed the direction of the franchise. Dwane Casey was fired. DeRozan was traded. Kawhi Leonard arrived. The following season, with LeBron in Los Angeles, Toronto finally broke through and won its first NBA championship.
The 76ers were already expected to be one of the better teams in the conference, especially after adding Jaylen Brown after fleecing the Boston Celtics. Now they add arguably the greatest player of his generation to a group that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and VJ Edgecombe. If that group stays healthy, there aren’t going to be many teams looking forward to seeing them.
As it stands right now, Toronto isn’t in the same place as Philadelphia. The Raptors are still trying to take the next step with a young core led by Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and their new rookie, Allen Graves, who, to his credit, has looked phenomenal in Summer League.
But LeBron’s arrival is another reminder that the Eastern Conference isn’t getting any easier. If Toronto wants to move from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender, eventually they’ll need another established star. That’s where finalizing this Kawhi Leonard deal needs to be a top priority.
LeBron has been part of some of the biggest moments in Raptors history. Whether Toronto likes it or not, he’s back in the conference, and if these teams ever cross paths in the playoffs again, the memories of those Cavaliers series won’t be far behind.