LeBron James started at center for the Philadelphia 76ers in Sunday’s 106-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons, and the results were a huge red flag despite his versatility. The four-time MVP, in his 24th season, clearly stated this isn’t his long-term role, and honestly, the Sixers need to figure out their backup big situation fast.
“We Got an MVP Over There”: LeBron’s Stance on the 5
Look, James is one of the greatest players ever, able to play positions one through five when needed, but a permanent center for this team? He shut that down quick. “We got an MVP over there,” James said, pointing to Joel Embiid’s locker. He’s not wrong. The 76ers didn’t sign the 41-year-old James to be a sustainable center option. They brought him in as a primary ball handler, a guy to lead the charge and bring a championship to Philadelphia, not to anchor the paint for 30 minutes a night.
Sunday’s performance against the Pistons highlighted why this isn’t a long-term fix. While James dropped 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting, dished out five assists, and grabbed two steals, his presence at center was a net negative. He managed just two rebounds and finished with a game-worst minus-22 in over 33 minutes. You love the effort, you love the versatility, but that kind of stat line, especially on the glass, just isn’t what you need from your center, even a fill-in one.
The Embiid Backup Problem Is Real and Urgent
Embiid sat out Sunday’s game to manage right plantar fasciitis, which is becoming a familiar storyline. The seven-time All-Star rarely plays back-to-back nights, and the team needs a reliable option when he’s sidelined. Embiid had a monster game Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks, with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 127-116 win, so you know what he brings when he’s out there.
The problem is, the Sixers are in a bind. They signed Ariel Hukporti this offseason to be Embiid’s backup and a starter when Embiid is unavailable. But Hukporti went down with a season-ending right Achilles tendon tear in the first preseason game. Because of salary cap restrictions, the team might be stuck waiting until December to replace him. That’s a long time to rely on LeBron or other patchwork solutions, especially with the 76ers already sitting at 3-1. They need to find a way to get another big man in there, because stretching James thin at a position he’s clearly stated isn’t for him long term is a recipe for trouble, even for a player of his caliber.
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.
Leave a Reply