1 hour ago
1
It goes without saying that LeBron James would like to win another NBA title before retiring, which is the same goal that every single player in the Association has. That fact hasn't slowed down the criticism of James' decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, with many labeling him a "ring chaser" for taking his talents to Philly.
James, who will turn 42 in December, has four NBA championship rings to his name, having won them with three different teams. It's very easy to argue that his choice to join the Sixers as opposed to other suitors such as the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors does give him the best and perhaps easiest path to pick up another title, which leads back to the ring-chasing title he's picked up since making his decision.
If we're honest, James would have been labeled a ring chaser no matter what franchise he signed with simply based on his age and the fact that he's on the tail end of his career.
Shaquille O'Neal speaks onstage during the Big Podcast panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 17, 2026, in New York City. (Rob Kim/Getty Images for Fanatics)
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal knows a thing or two about carrying around the same label of ring chaser after joining the Boston Celtics in the final season of his career. James receiving similar treatment before suiting up for the Sixers doesn't exactly sit well with him, however.
"I don't like y'all calling my man a ring chaser," O'Neal said, referring to James, during a recent appearance on "The Stephen A. Smith Show."
LeBron James speaks onstage during the mind the game panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 16, 2026, in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fanatics)
"It's funny to me that people that don't have rings to say 'Oh, he's a ring chaser.' No, he's continuous chasing, he's chasing the chance to continue to be great, to continue to add legacy to his book.
"When this thing is over, it's over, you can't come back. Once you retire, once your body says it can't go no more, it's over. This guy feels he has two or three years left, why not try and get another championship? I did it, I did it with Boston. I won three in a row and then won one in Miami. At the end of my career, let me go play with Paul [Pierce] and KG (Kevin Garnett) and see if I can win one."
THE 76ERS JUMP TO BETTING FAVORITE OUT EAST AFTER LEBRON JAMES TAKES HIS TALENTS TO PHILADELPHIA
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
James will be teaming up alongside Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, which could evolve into a certified four-headed monster in the Eastern Conference.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The most important word in the previous sentence, however, is 'could.'
Ring chaser, or 'continious chaser' as O'Neal put it, the labels and even the predictions don't matter at this point. The only thing that does matter is what James and the Sixers do come April of next year when the postseason starts.
Mark Harris is a writer for OutKick.
English (US) ·