THE KING IS COMING TO PHILLY: LeBron James Signs With the Sixers

LEBRON IS A SIXER

Transcript

LeBron News Hits Philly Fast

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to a special edition of Brotherly Love Sports Podcast. Fry, the non-basketball guy, wanted to talk basketball since it finally happened. King James is coming to Philly. And the news is so exciting, Fry had to talk about it first.

SPEAKER_00 0:18

Lost my volume again. Touched my setup, standby, technical difficulties.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

I'll tell you what, man. As soon as I saw that come through, my first thought was you know what? Fuck you, Bill.

SPEAKER_00 0:33

Fuck Bill.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

For those that don't know, Bill, one of our buddies, kind of took the whole leaked YouTube video of LeBron going to Miami to heart and you know, thought it was going to be a coincidence that he was going to go sign there. Well, he didn't. He came to us.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

I could not have been happier. So E. Bill sent that text, or you sent that text. And I was happened to be at my son's um like camp end of the summer camp festival stuff. And there's a couple dads there, probably five or six dads there. And not once once the phone started going off, not a single one of us were paying attention to what our kids were doing. We all started looking around at each other, making eye contact, fist, you know, like fists in the air. And like, and then at the end of it, by the end of it, we were already talking about how the odds changed.

Group Text Chaos And Betting Buzz

SPEAKER_00 1:36

Making sure your bets are in. I think I did take the Sixers plus a thousand to win uh win the championship. I want to say it was like plus 325 to win the East and like plus 300 to win their uh division um through some money on all that, probably about a total of about a hundred bucks. I'll be honest.

SPEAKER_01 1:59

I I am honestly shocked. I thought this would have been the last place he's coming. He's he's gonna go back to Cleveland, he's gonna just you know, and end his career there. That's home.

SPEAKER_00 2:09

I thought so too. And then I first I read his um Facebook and Twitter post, and I thought it was decently written. He honestly was gonna retire, it seemed like. I mean, if you haven't read it, I'll summarize it. It basically says, I thought I was done when the season ended, but wasn't ready to announce it. I knew he needed some time aside. He was sure he played his last game, so that to me sounds like retirement. And then over the last few weeks, things have been turned around, they're special. He continues to work, he's not going at it for money, which is true. He signed an eight million dollar contract, and he believes right now that Philly's the team for him. I and I don't blame him. I really do think the um Jalen Brown signing almost secured that.

SPEAKER_01 2:59

I am already more impressed with this new GM than I ever was with Maury. Um I don't think so. I have never been to an NBA game, and this makes me want to go.

SPEAKER_00 3:12

I agree. I was just um I was just talking to a couple friends as well, and they're like, maybe we should try to find a game that I'll go to.

SPEAKER_01 3:22

My aunt texted me and goes, So you're gonna go buy a LeBron jersey? And I was like, I don't have anything Sixers. I have never owned anything Sixers. I am not gonna start with a LeBron jersey.

SPEAKER_00 3:32

I think this this blue fishing shirt I'm wearing is the closest blue shirt that I own to a Sixers color.

SPEAKER_01 3:42

That's probably better than I got. Alright, so how the hell does this lineup work? Because now you have Maxi, Edgecombe, Jalen Brown,

LeBron’s Message And Why Philly

SPEAKER_01 3:55

maybe in Bede for like 30 games.

SPEAKER_00 4:02

I mean just look at all the the me, not the memes, but the graphics coming out.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

It I I I really want to see how LeBron's gonna bring that experience in into this organization, and I honestly, best best possible thing to happen, especially for Edgecombe, because I think Edgecombe is gonna be a really good player. Having a guy like LeBron on the team to help coach and mentor, I think there's more value in that than just the signing of him.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

I I do totally agree with you there. We're still having some lower Delaware technical difficulties after letting my kid play with my headphones. Work through it. Uh let's go. USA Today, the for the win, their little sports column, has um Maxie at point guard, Jalen Brown as tuning in guard, Enchcomb a strong forward. Is that strong FF strong forward T, not the basketball guy. Uh power forward for LeBron and Embiid for center, which is gonna be their starting lineup. And it's gonna come down to how much can Embiid play for his center spot. But I mean the team looks good. They went from the day before they signed Brown, they were plus 7,000 to win the championship. At 1145 this afternoon, they were plus a thousand.

How The Starting Five Fits

SPEAKER_01 5:42

So here's here's the question Is this the best starting five in the NBA, or are they just the most terrifying on paper?

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Oh, they're clearly the most terrifying on paper.

SPEAKER_01 5:57

I I'd have to agree. But also kind of the most terrifying starting five.

SPEAKER_00 6:06

Oh, I mean that's it kind of they do go hand in hand, but it all I mean outcome is outcome.

SPEAKER_01 6:12

That yeah, we don't know what kind of production they're gonna get.

SPEAKER_00 6:15

I mean, look at production tonight, the Phillies just lost 1-0. Uh production is and Turner was 0 for 4, Schwarber had a double, Harper was 0 for 4. There was no production. On paper, I mean if you want to argue it on paper, you have Turner, Schwarber, Harper batting 1, 2, and 3 in the Phillies lineup. They had one hit.

SPEAKER_01 6:46

I'm gonna save all my Philly stock for the regular pod.

SPEAKER_00 6:50

Definitely keep that for uh Wednesday.

SPEAKER_01 6:56

Couple questions now that the LeBron thing is finalized. How many games do the Sixers win?

SPEAKER_00 7:06

Throw a brother a bone here and uh tell me how many games are in an NBA season.

SPEAKER_01 7:10

82. They've they play the same amount as the NHL. Oh honestly, I could if it goes the way I feel it's gonna go, I think they win 50 at least 55 games. Probably more.

SPEAKER_00 7:34

Yeah, I'd say 50. Absolutely 50. We'll we'll um let's look up what the odds are right now. Uh 50.5 on FanDuel as of this Googling. Is the uh is the line.

SPEAKER_01 7:58

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 7:59

I would take the over.

SPEAKER_01 8:00

Yeah, yeah, I'd I'd probably take the over too. Alright, so where where do you think they finish in the east? Do do we win the east? Are we coming in second? Because the Knicks are currently still favorite, I believe.

SPEAKER_00 8:14

They are still favorite by like I think it's like 300 to 325. So it's basically a pick'em.

SPEAKER_01 8:25

Um I I think they win it. Honestly, I think they win the East this year.

SPEAKER_00 8:32

I think uh New York kind of gets back into their New York-ness. They've been kind of snake bitten. Very

Win Total And East Title Predictions

SPEAKER_00 8:40

similarly to Philadelphia sports teams. Like, well, one of the teams will win something for uh uh will take charge, they'll be the team to lead the city, win one, or at least get to a championship, and that's what we talk about for five to six years.

SPEAKER_01 8:58

All right, that was gonna be my next question. Do they reach the finals this coming season?

SPEAKER_00 9:04

I mean, taking the easy route. The easy route it comes down to injuries. But I think they do. I actually think they're they're finally gonna make it. I think the totality of the two signings beating the Boston last year with the team they had. You got some guys with some of now experience, and it's again back to the health thing. It's it's gonna come back down to is Embiid in a wheelchair some playoff times or not. Is it is another one of his organs gonna fail? Is his knee gonna buckle? Yeah, is he gonna slice his finger open on a drone?

SPEAKER_01 9:54

Well, Dwight Howard's already poking the the Sixers and asking to come back. Oh, that that guy's a shell of his former self. When he was with Orlando, I loved him. He was my favorite player because growing up, I was I was more into the NBA, but all right. So does LeBron come away with at least his fifth championship while he's here?

SPEAKER_00 10:20

He has the player option, right?

SPEAKER_01 10:22

Yeah, so he's here for two unless he chooses to retire after this season.

SPEAKER_00 10:29

So if they make a playoff run, he comes back. You think if they miss the playoffs, he's done.

SPEAKER_01 10:37

I n I don't think so.

SPEAKER_00 10:39

You think it's the opposite?

SPEAKER_01 10:40

I not if they win it all, there's a better chance he retires. If they missed it, I think he's gonna come back with a chip on his shoulder to be like, well, like like we still had so much to give. Like this, this isn't how this I saw this going, how I wanted it to end. I I think he's gonna for that fifth one, and I mean he's not gonna be playing until he's 50, but if if the body holds out, he's he's here and we get a championship. He he gets his fifth ring.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Yeah, I can I can see that. I mean, that's basically what his um his Facebook post and social media post said. He's in it to win one, he's got two seasons to do it.

SPEAKER_01 11:31

Alright, last question, just because it's a fun one. Who takes the last shot in the playoff game?

SPEAKER_00 11:37

Maxie.

SPEAKER_01 11:38

See, I was leading Maxie, and then I when I really thought about it, it's probably gonna be one of their bench guys. I could totally see just one of their dudes coming off, getting some time in, or because somebody got hurt, they had to step in. I'm going bench bench shot.

SPEAKER_00 11:59

For the the last shot of the season, playoffs, it's game whatever of the championship.

SPEAKER_01 12:05

Yeah. Yeah, I think it's gonna be something crazy.

SPEAKER_00 12:09

Like the like the obvious answer would be for the game winner.

SPEAKER_01 12:12

Oh, yeah, 100%. The obvious answer would be to say LeBron. But I don't think it's gonna be him. I think he's gonna look to like he would look to give it to Maxie or pro or maybe Edgecomb, but I I think it's gonna be a bit it's gonna be a bench guy.

SPEAKER_00 12:34

Yeah. I I think Maxie. I think Maxie's taking that last shot.

SPEAKER_01 12:45

All right.

SPEAKER_00 12:46

Now, who trade deadline do you pick somebody up?

Health Risks And Ring Number Five

SPEAKER_01 12:56

I don't know that they need to right now. Because getting Brown and LeBron are huge. And some of the the other guys that they've signed, and I I haven't committed their names to memory, have been intriguing enough where it's like, I I think they're pretty deep.

SPEAKER_00 13:16

I asked you to help me out. It's small forward dick. Brett's gonna eviscerate me.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

He doesn't listen anyways.

SPEAKER_00 13:28

This is true, friend. What a friend he is.

SPEAKER_01 13:34

Came on the show once and suddenly has to work every time I try to record. Or or he's just drunk. Or both.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

Yeah, that's a that's a see all of the above. Just going over again, obviously, since the onset of this podcast, I'm not the basketball guy. LeBron is still averaging 20.9 points a game in 33 minutes and played 60 games last season.

SPEAKER_01 14:12

Did did you listen to last episode?

SPEAKER_00 14:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:18

The one with you or the one uh the the one that I that I just posted on Thursday that I did by myself.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

I did not.

SPEAKER_01 14:24

Yeah, okay. So I've been expecting some responses from you.

SPEAKER_00 14:30

I'll save them for next Wednesday because I'm on I'm off, so I'll be available next week.

SPEAKER_01 14:36

I'll uh I'll I'll post the question here again. Um because I I thought this was kind of a good one. I I was doing like you know, like make a deal with the devil like segment on on the last episode, and one of the questions was would uh because we weren't sure if LeBron was coming or not. It was like if LeBron comes here, or you're guaranteed LeBron comes here, but the Sixers aren't allowed to make any other significant moves, would you take that deal?

SPEAKER_00 15:11

Oh, absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 15:12

I I I said yes as well.

SPEAKER_00 15:13

It's an easy one. Yeah, that's easy.

SPEAKER_01 15:16

But that yeah, that whole that whole thing kind of aged like milk since he announced today that he's coming.

SPEAKER_00 15:24

More like a like a Thanos question. Obviously, he signed here. We all know what happened. We're speaking in past unknowing that LeBron signed. Which Philly team would you sacrifice for LeBron to sign in Philadelphia?

SPEAKER_01 15:41

I would sacrifice the Sixers.

Who Takes The Last Shot

SPEAKER_01 15:51

I mean, look at him. I would rather have him at shortstop right now than fucking Turner.

SPEAKER_00 15:57

Oh, Turner looked really uncomfortable fielding that ground ball with the bases loaded. Very uncomfortable.

SPEAKER_01 16:04

Yeah, I would I would sacrifice the Sixers to get LeBron to come play basketball in Philly.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

Somebody posted a meme. I think it's like drunk Phillies fan shout out, uh Facebook page. It wasn't whatever, we'll give them credit. I've never seen Brian DeLacruz and LeBron James in the same room together, and they actually kind of do look alike.

SPEAKER_01 16:30

I love it. This is this is great.

SPEAKER_00 16:37

It's a good time to be a Philly sports fan.

SPEAKER_01 16:39

There's a lot going on. There's all the teams are competitive.

SPEAKER_00 16:43

Quick big Philly signing today. They signed 19 of their uh they signed their draft picks plus a couple other players.

SPEAKER_01 16:56

After the whole painter debacle, it's hard for me to get excited about their their drafts.

SPEAKER_00 17:03

Well, I mean, as of last week, it was it was unknown if their 30, 36th overall pick, 30, whatever. Their first round pick, Tyler Spangler was even gonna sign. Yeah, he wound up signing for 3.2 million dollar bonus. And they signed 19 other prospects.

SPEAKER_01 17:30

So all right.

SPEAKER_00 17:33

We'll see. He's years away. But he was he was at the game tonight, which made me uh I'm gonna just throw that in there. We'll get more into that next Wednesday.

SPEAKER_01 17:41

Just to drops Thursday, just to wrap up the whole Sixers news. Any final thoughts?

SPEAKER_00 17:47

No, I'm actually kind of excited. I mean, I really haven't followed the Sixers since like the Allen Iverson days. Um that that championship run against the Lakers. Kind of really the last time I've paid attention to the Sixers.

SPEAKER_01 18:06

That's fair.

SPEAKER_00 18:07

Um it's just again, basketball is

Wrap Up Timeouts And Shoutouts

SPEAKER_00 18:10

really not my sport. I just if it's on, I'll watch the final couple minutes. I also think they need to take away like two timeouts from each team. So the final two minutes of a game shouldn't take 45 minutes in real life. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 18:24

But yeah, I uh I digress. I I think I'm gonna go try to see an NBA game for the first time in my life.

SPEAKER_00 18:33

I did go to the N1 mixtape tour when I was like 16.

SPEAKER_01 18:38

God, I forgot about that. Oh, that was a thing, wasn't it?

SPEAKER_00 18:43

White chocolate and the professor and all those guys. Oh skips in my loo. Yeah, we're going back for the nine people that watch our podcast. Well, Adam, I just wanted to give you an actual huge shout out. I've seen your passion. I've been your friend for a while now, and you've been talking about doing this. You sat down, you did it, you've invested your own money into it, and you just hit your 250th download before episode 25. So congratulations. I appreciate it, man.

SPEAKER_01 19:12

You've dude, you've been a big part of it. You've been helping me grow the show for all of our nine listeners. But hey, it's all about consistency, right? Like we'll we'll we'll get there.

SPEAKER_00 19:21

Shooting for 23. The big, big Philly sports number now.

SPEAKER_01 19:25

Ooh. Next week is gonna be our 23rd episode.

SPEAKER_00 19:29

Oh, look at that. See? All right, everybody out there, you're welcome. Brotherly Love Sports. Three other reasons. LeBron's hind here. Two guys that live probably the furthest away from Philadelphia out of all of our friends.

SPEAKER_01 19:46

Ah, but we both grew up just outside of Philly.

SPEAKER_00 19:49

Basically, could see the stadium from my house.

SPEAKER_01 19:53

Alright, man.

SPEAKER_00 19:54

All right, buddy.

SPEAKER_01 19:56

I hope everybody enjoys the show. We will see you guys next week.