Derek Fisher says LeBron James creates championship chances, not chases rings, after joining 76ers
Former NBA player Derek Fisher argued that LeBron James has historically been a catalyst for titles rather than a player seeking rings, countering criticism of his recent move to Philadelphia.
LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, joining a roster that includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and newly acquired Jaylen Brown. The signing sparked commentary that James was pursuing another championship, with some observers pointing to his past moves to Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles as evidence of ring-chasing.
Former NBA guard Derek Fisher rejected that narrative, stating that James has consistently been the player who creates championship opportunities for his teams. > "You're not ring chasing when you're the guy that creates the rings!" Fisher said on 97.1 The Fan.
Fisher highlighted that each of James's titles came with elite teammates, but emphasized that the common factor was James’s leadership. > "It's not about what team the guy is on. It's about where he is, not the city or the team. He didn't chase rings. Where he went, the rings followed," he added.
The 76ers, who reached the second round of the playoffs last season before losing to the eventual champion New York Knicks, added James after a trade sent Boston’s Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. Fisher noted that while the team already appears strong on paper, James’s presence could increase their chances of winning a championship, though it does not guarantee success.