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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Kendrick Perkins didn't hold back with his thoughts about how things might play out for the Boston Celtics after they traded away All-Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers.
While appearing on ESPN's "NBA Today," Perkins said he's been saying it since the beginning that Brown was the "piece that moved the needle" for Philly to sign LeBron James, instantly turning them into serious contenders to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"Every time I think of someone making these comments and talking about the 76ers, and you think that they can possibly go on and win the championship, I always gotta think about the Boston Celtics and Brad Stevens. This is going to be tied to them for the rest of- for the history of the NBA," Perkins said.
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"Not only did you trade an All-NBA caliber player to a rival team, but now you know that that was the deciding factor to land arguably the greatest player to ever play the game that is still playing at an All-NBA level," he said. "If the 76ers go on to win the NBA championship with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, it will stain the Boston Celtics forever."
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Earlier this week, Jaylen Brown appeared on a live stream and said he felt somewhat "disrespected" by the Celtics in how things played out with his trade to the 76ers. Based on his remarks, he's extremely motivated to compete and win.
Before the season begins, the 76ers boast one of the more formidable starting fives in the NBA, at least on paper. Brown, James, and their new All-Star teammates, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, all averaged at last 20 points per game last season.
VJ Edgecombe enters his sophomore season in Philly and could improve drastically now that he's playing with several more of the best stars in the league, including the legendary King James.
It's worth noting that the oddsmakers don't have the 76ers as favorites to win the NBA championship, as that distinction belongs to two teams above them: the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
The reigning champion New York Knicks also remain a consideration, as they really kept the majority of their roster intact, save for Mitchell Robinson and a few other bench departures.
The 76ers will still have to prove they can defeat the top-tier teams in the league in the upcoming season to give stronger evidence that the lineup works and can potentially take down the best the West has to offer in the NBA Finals.
More news: Tracy McGrady Reveals ‘X Factor’ for 76ers With LeBron James
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