Philly just signed LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and suddenly they’ve got a problem only an NBA team could dream up: a combined 142% usage rate from their potential starting five, and there’s only one ball on the court. This isn’t some crazy math error, it’s the cold, hard truth of what happens when you bring in a lineup of ball-dominant superstars.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: That’s A LOT of Ball Hogs
Seriously, look at this potential lineup: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown (fresh from the Celtics), LeBron James (from the Lakers), and Joel Embiid. Each one of these guys had a significant usage stat last season, and when you stack them up, it’s wild. LeBron clocked in at 27%, Maxey at 29%, Edgecombe at 19%, Brown led the pack at a massive 35%, and Embiid wasn’t far behind at 32%. Total that up? 142%. That’s way more than one player can handle, and as Dean Oliver himself tweeted, “That ought to be interesting.” “Interesting” is putting it mildly when you’re talking about professional basketball players who all want to be the primary decision-maker.
One Ball, Five Stars: The Ultimate Juggling Act
So, how’s this going to work? The 76ers are going to have to figure out how to operate, especially when games are on the line in the opening and closing minutes. There’s a small silver lining: in the middle of games, they can stagger lineups. That means not all those high-usage players have to be on the floor at the exact same time, which should keep things from getting too wild. The bad news? Most of these guys aren’t exactly known for being stellar off-ball players. Maxey might be the exception, but for the most part, these guys like having the basketball in their hands.
Watching how LeBron learns to gel with new team constructs has always been one of the most compelling parts of his career decisions, and it’s going to be absolutely fascinating in Philadelphia. The 76ers aren’t guaranteed to get this right. But if they somehow can work it out, that lineup, with all that individual talent, could certainly be potent. It’s a high-stakes gamble with a lot of ego and one basketball.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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