Phoenix Suns Wing Comes to Defense of LeBron James' Decision To Join 76ers

Former Phoenix Suns wing and current broadcaster for the franchise in Eddie Johnson has never been afraid to be in the headlines for speaking his mind - this was no different in a recent statement made on social media in the aftermath of LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

Johnson essentially pointed out that the most committed critics of James' career are simply grasping at straws - including by attempting to poke holes into his personal life and go all-in on slamming his 4-6 record in the NBA finals. All in all, critics of a player will typically rise when it becomes convenient to raise questions and concerns.

The debate around legacy is very pertinent in the Suns' corner at the moment, particularly concerning franchise player Devin Booker - who has experienced quite the tide shift in how he has been perceived on multiple occasions across his 11-year career. 

Booker started out as a feel-good story, with few taking him seriously as a legitimate star to build around while Phoenix attempted to trek a rebuild. The moment Booker elevated the Suns into contention came with heightened expectations and scrutiny. Falling short in the 2021 Finals and losing the 2022 West Semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks only placed a magnifying glass on the rising polarization. 

Then came Booker's historic 2023 playoff run, where averages of over 30 points per game re-installed faith that the two-guard remained on-track to be the franchise-altering superstar that he showed promise to be earlier in the decade. The last three seasons have leveled the playing field once again, with many concluding that Booker is firmly on the decline yet again. 

The moral of the story? A player's legacy has the ability to shift in the blink of an eye - especially when critics are firmly within the picture frame. Booker is a franchise legend to many, with the Kentucky product serving as the major beacon of light that Phoenix has seen in the post Steve Nash era, while others will point to him as simply a good, not great, player that got overrated due to a handful of playoff moments. 

The NBA world is subjective at the end of the day, but the way James is perceived simply serves as a cautionary tale about how legacy can and will be presented with that in mind. Booker is perhaps one of the most undeserving victims of the discourse, but the future is now firmly in his control - with bringing an elusive NBA title to Phoenix serving as his last major roadblock.

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Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X @khicks_21.