The Philadelphia 76ers fans are already looking forward to a run to the 2027 NBA Finals after one specificLeBron James stat proves to be a major indicator.
The 76ers are leading the Eastern Conference after the first two weeks of the 2026-27 NBA season, holding a 7-1 record with the team looking comfortable as the leading contenders in the East.
The additions of LeBron and Jaylen Brown have been a major factor in enabling this success, with LeBron in particular bringing 23 years of experience with 10 Finals appearances and four championships.
As mentioned, James has made the NBA Finals 10 times over his career. Every single time his team has started the season 7-1 (4 instances), they have invariably reached the Finals , with three NBA Championships being won in the process.
LeBron led the 11-12 Heat, 15-16 Cavaliers, 16-17 Cavaliers, and 19-20 Lakers all to 7-1 starts in those respective seasons. Outside the 16-17 Cavaliers, each squad won the NBA title, with the 16-17 Cavaliers losing to the Golden State Warriors with Kevin Durant.
If this career trend from James is to be held, the 76ers are bound to reach the NBA Finals in 2027. So far, they do look like the favourites to do so, with their closest rivals being the 6-1 Detroit Pistons, who still have roster flaws to work through.
The 5-2 Boston Celtics are interesting opponents but might struggle to match up with the depth and talent of the 76ers, while other presumed contenders such as the 4-2 Toronto Raptors and 3-4 New York Knicks have had spotty starts to the season.
If the trend of LeBron's 7-1 teams going to the NBA Finals is to be broken, one of the East's elites need to step up and stop the 76ers, who are looking like a well-organised machine far quicker than most anticipated.
James is playing the perfect team-first role, averaging 16.2 points, 7.3 assists and 7.0 rebounds while playing some of the best defence we have seen from him in the last five years.
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