LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen A. Smith
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith does not see LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers as a repeat of Kevin Durant’s move to the Golden State Warriors.
Durant compared James’ decision to his own arrival in Golden State, but Smith rejected the idea that both moves brought the same championship certainty.
Kevin Durant says LeBron's new Sixers are getting a pass the 2016 Warriors never got.
"The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the team I was on."
LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey. Four 25-point scorers, one… pic.twitter.com/aIwnq8Otg1
— IredcapI (@IredcapI) August 2, 2026
“[The Golden State Warriors] were clear-cut favorites by a mile to win the championship,” Smith said. “We don’t even know if the Philadelphia 76ers are going to come out of the East.”
Philadelphia added enormous star power. The Sixers paired James with Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, creating a starting group with four All-Stars. Still, Smith’s argument separates impressive talent from outright inevitability.
Philadelphia Still Has Questions to Answer
Philadelphia enters James’ first season with major pieces learning how to function together.
Magic Johnson identified defense and chemistry as the Sixers’ two biggest concerns. He also questioned how coach Nick Nurse will design an offense around four players accustomed to controlling the ball.
The Sixers reportedly expect James to spend significant time at point guard, allowing Maxey to attack without managing every teammate’s touches. Draymond Green supported that plan, arguing that asking Maxey to involve James, Brown, Embiid and VJ Edgecombe would place too much responsibility on him.
Rich Paul believes James can elevate the roster as a facilitator, giving Philadelphia a clear path toward making its collection of stars work.
Smith, however, refuses to skip ahead. The Sixers may challenge the reigning champion New York Knicks and contend for the East, but they must turn talent into chemistry before anyone places them beside Durant’s Warriors.