LeBron James recently joined the Philadelphia 76ers and many are asking if the team is more talented than what he had with the Miami Heat from 2010-14
It was 16 years ago when LeBron James shocked the NBA world by joining the Miami Heat play with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
Last month, he made a similar bold move when he left the Los Angeles Lakers to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. Some are calling the Sixers one of the most talented starting fives in NBA history.
The team has a potential lineup of James, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown. Four of those players have either won an MVP or championship while Edgecombe is one of the league's rising young stars.
After the James signing, the Sixers immediately jumped to the top of the contenders list in the Eastern Conference. Some are already pegging them as the favorite to win the title ahead of the likes of the defending champion New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The question most have is this: Is LeBron playing with a better team in Philly than what he had in Miami from 2010-14?
That's a tough one.
The Heat had perhaps the best trio in NBA history because James, Bosh and Wade were among the league's top 10 players at the time. It was unheard of at the time, which is why it drew such a negative reaction.
But the Sixers can counter with a more rounded starting lineup. James, Embiid and Brown are already future Hall of Famers while Maxey is probably on the way and Edgecombe is just beginning.
The Heat surrounded the Big Three with superstars but only Ray Allen is in the Hall of Fame. The rest of the team were established journeyman who meshed well playing alongside James, Bosh and Wade.
It's a good debate, but the Sixers may be the best roster James has been a part of in his 24-year career. We'll see how it plays out this season.
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