Bam Adebayo’s top-five list turned into instant debate, and Kevin Durant landed in a spot that will get plenty of attention.
During a youth camp event tied to his Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, the Miami Heat center was asked to name his five greatest players of all time. He didn’t hesitate.
Adebayo went with Kobe Bryant at No. 1, Steph Curry at No.
2, Michael Jordan at No. 3, Kevin Durant at No. 4 and Tim Duncan rounding out the list.
Durant’s placement stands out because of the company he kept on Adebayo’s list. The two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP has long been regarded as one of the most gifted scorers the game has ever seen at his size, and Adebayo’s nod reflected that. But the bigger flashpoint was who didn’t make the cut.
Leaving LeBron James off the list pushed the clip into viral territory almost immediately. Curry ahead of Jordan was already enough to spark arguments, and Durant being slotted above Duncan and James gave fans even more to chew on. The timing only made it louder.
Just days earlier, rumors had strongly linked James to the Heat in free agency, a possible reunion with the team he helped win two titles between 2012 and 2013. Instead, the 41-year-old signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, and plenty of fans read Adebayo’s list as a response.
The comment section did what comment sections do. One fan wrote, "KD over Bron is crazy - KD has zero bag."
Another added, "Lebron not on there cause he didn't pick Miami," followed by a string of crying-laughing emojis.
A third viewer joked, "Bro didn't put Bron because he didn't pick the Heat."
The fourth one noted, "On the court, Bron is not better than KD"
A random X user remarked, “I understand Lebron ain’t everyone favorite but Tim Duncan was so forced he not one bit of Tim in his game.”
Adebayo, though, made it clear there was no issue with James. He told reporters he sees LeBron "like a brother" from their time together as Olympic teammates and said he was genuinely happy for his free agency decision.
In Other News...
Jalen Brunson Stares Down Jaylen Brown At Wedding Goes Viral
Donovan Mitchells private wedding to Coco Jones in Greenwich, Connecticut, doubled as an offseason reunion for some of the leagues biggest names, with several NBA stars and a few familiar celebrity guests turning out for the Aug. 1 ceremony. Among those in attendance were Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, Josh Hart, James Harden and Bam Adebayo, along with Russell Wilson and Ciara, giving the event the kind of cross-sport, star-studded feel that tends to turn quickly into social media fodder.
For Sixers fans, the part worth watching was the loose, competitive energy among the players once the cameras started rolling, including a viral staredown between Brunson and Brown. The moment played like a reminder that the leagues rivalries do not disappear just because everyone is dressed for a wedding, and the clips from Greenwich offered a small offseason snapshot of how much camaraderie still sits beneath the competition. [Read more 🡒]
Former Sixers Forward Nears A Fresh Start Nobody Saw Coming
Trendon Watfords run with the 76ers appears to be over before it ever really got going, as Philadelphia has shifted its focus to other moves at forward and left him outside its plans. For a player looking to carve out a more stable role, the decision opened the door to free agency and turned what had been a quiet roster note into a legitimate next-step situation.
Now the next stop could come overseas, where Valencia Basket in Spain is reportedly weighing Watford as a possible addition. If that path keeps moving forward, he would fit into a larger offseason plan for the club, but for now its simply another reminder of how quickly a former Sixer can go from roster depth to a fresh start somewhere far from Philadelphia. [Read more 🡒]
Allen Iverson Sums Up What This New-Look Sixers Team Means
The Sixers spent the offseason building a roster that looks dramatically different from the one they took into last year, headlined by the trade for Jaylen Brown and the arrival of LeBron James. With Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, James and Joel Embiid all projected to be in the starting group, Philadelphia suddenly has the kind of star power that can reshape the entire conversation around the franchise before the season even tips off.
Allen Iverson is among those energized by the change, saying he is excited about Brown and James landing in Philadelphia. For a team that has spent years trying to get over the top, the bigger question now is how all of that talent will fit once the games begin, and whether this new-look group can turn the promise of its paper roster into something much more lasting. [Read more 🡒]