Rain clouds hung low over Camden, New Jersey, on Monday, but the mood inside the Philadelphia 76ers facility felt bright. Two months after stunning the league in free agency, LeBron James held his first Media Day in Philly, and the LeBron James 76ers project finally felt real.
What Pulled LeBron James to Philadelphia
James told reporters the whole organization is aligned, from the front office to the locker room. Everyone, he said, is ready to put in the work and is on the same wavelength.
The trio of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown drew him in. At 41, with four rings and 10 Finals trips behind him, one more real title shot sealed the deal. He was blunt that he did not uproot his family to bow out in the second round.
That round is a sore spot. The Sixers were swept there last spring by the eventual champion New York Knicks, exposing the gap to the true contenders.
Teammates Already Buying In
Before signing, James spoke at length with Maxey about the spotlight that follows him. Maxey brushed off any worry, saying they share a work-first mindset and James will lift the entire roster.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, reunited with James, pointed to his focus. Once James enters the gym, he keeps everyone locked on team goals.
The fit still needs work. Philadelphia ranked 17th in points per possession and 23rd in half-court efficiency last season. Head coach Nick Nurse must balance several high-usage stars, and Maxey wants more off-ball reps. New shooters Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons should open up the floor for James.
Defense is the bigger worry. The Sixers were slightly below average on that end, and the injury history of Maxey, Brown and Embiid could stretch the rotation. Expect careful load management for James and Embiid.
Even so, the LeBron James 76ers era starts as the East’s most intriguing experiment. If his playoff form from last spring holds, Philly’s long chase for a true contender could finally pay off.
