LeBron James has given Philadelphia fans their first glimpse of what life with the NBA superstar could look like, producing an unselfish performance in his 76ers pre-season debut.
The 41-year-old played just over 18 minutes as the new-look Sixers fell 114-108 to the Nets in Brooklyn, but offered an early look at how he could fit into Philadelphia’s new-look lineup.
It was also the first chance to see James alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and V.J. Edgecombe, with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer immediately looking to get his new teammates involved.
But James’ arrival in Philadelphia hasn’t come without some early noise, with the superstar already forced to shut down a report involving fellow MVP Embiid.
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James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, announced in July that he had signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers.
It ended weeks of speculation over where the four-time NBA champion would land as a free agent after eight seasons and one title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 41-year-old superstar, entering a record-extending 24th NBA season, won two titles with Miami, another with Cleveland and a fourth with the Lakers and is aiming to help the Sixers win their first title since Julius Erving led the club to the crown 43 years ago.
LeBron James made his first appearance for the Philadelphia 76ers against Brooklyn.Source: AFP
James scored 10 points, connecting on his lone shot from the floor and making all eight of his free-throw attempts.
He added four rebounds, five assists and a steal in 18:04 minutes in the first half.
He connected with V.J. Edgecombe twice early, first with an incredible outlet pass before finding the youngster with a smooth no-look pass for an easy dunk.
James attempted just one field goal across his 18 minutes on the floor, instead looking to get his new teammates involved.
And it didn’t take long for some of his plays in a 76ers uniform to get fans excited.
Edgecombe was all smiles when asked about the unselfish approach from the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“He already got the record, he don’t care to score any more,” Edgecombe joked.
Brown led all scorers with 18 points and Julius Randle had 14 for the Nets, who out-scored the Sixers 37-23 in the third quarter to take control.
But all eyes were on James, starting with his first signature pre-game chalk-toss in a 76ers uniform.
James smoothly directed the Sixers offense in his time on the floor, making all five of his assists in the first quarter and combining effectively with Maxey.
“I think there was some really good things happening, you know, right off the bat,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said after seeing his starters together for the first time.
“A bunch of back cuts and good passing et cetera... there were segments where obviously we turned the ball over a lot... just the little clunky segments, too. But, again, it’s pre-season, first time they’re together.
“I think you look at it as what’s good and what are the learning experiences, things that we can improve.”
James finished with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in just over 18 minutes.Source: AP
The 76ers have two more pre-season games, both against Boston, before opening the NBA regular season against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20.
James’ arrival has already found the 76ers battling outside “noise”.
James took to Instagram to refute a report from a play-by-play announcer during the team’s first pre-season game on Monday that James had admonished Embiid for being late to practice.
“He ain’t been late, so stop the lie,” James posted.
Embiid has now also shut down the report.
“I don’t know where that came from. It never happened,” Embiid said.
“One, it’s not true. And then again it’s like, ‘Why me?’ But I guess I’m Joel Embiid, I’ve been in this situation.”
But Embiid believes the new-look group simply needs to stick together as the attention around the team grows.
“As long as we know who we are [we will be OK] and we just got to stick together,” Embiid said.
James had acknowledged at the team’s media day last month that the outside noise around the 76ers would be “doubled, tripled and quadrupled now that I’m here.”