Quote · Pardon My Take
Patrick Kane In Studio, LeBron James To Philadelphia, Who’s Back + Mt Rushmore Of Things You Eat With A Spoon
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LeBron James to Philadelphia
At 7:04 · chapter starts 0:00
The LeBron discussion reaches its natural resolution as the crew forces Max to rank who the team actually belongs to: LeBron first, Embiid second, Maxey and Brown interchangeable third and fourth. Big Cat raises the nightmare scenario for Hank — what if the Sixers actually win? Hank's response is visceral: it would break him. Twenty-five games of hate-watching to see Philadelphia celebrate a title would be devastating. PFT reframes it perfectly: for Max it's championship or bust, for Hank it's bust or bust. Max is eventually pushed by peer pressure to accept the 'championship or bust' framing, closing the loop on the segment. The show has successfully set up the entire Celtics-Sixers rivalry dynamic and Max's personal journey as a reluctant LeBron convert for the upcoming season.
LeBron James chose the Philadelphia 76ers on the veteran minimum, and the entire show agrees: it's championship or bust. The Sixers starting five on paper is stacked — but there's only one ball and several alpha scorers who all want it.
Max, a lifelong 76ers die-hard, refuses to say he'll boo LeBron James if he underperforms — because he's on the veteran minimum. The crew mercilessly points out that LeBron has completely neutered Philly's most vocal fan before a single game is played.
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on the veteran minimum contract, roughly $3.9 million, which Max used to argue expectations should be tempered.
LeBron signed with the Sixers on the 24th day of his 24th season, with a deal worth $8 million per year — a numerological connection to Kobe Bryant.
LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers marks his fourth different NBA franchise, which the hosts note is unusual for a player considered the GOAT.
