LeBron James Discusses Decision To Sign With Sixers

As Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice relays, James cited the ability to team up with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid as a major reason why he chose Philadelphia. James’ friendship with Maxey, a fellow Klutch Sports client, has been well-documented, and LeBron confirmed to co-host Steve Nash that his relationship with the star guard “goes beyond the court.”

“I just love everything about Tyrese Maxey, man,” James said. “Every day, you get the same person. And that is very rare, in sports and obviously super rare in life. And I’ve always talked about how great of a person he is. And we obviously know what he brings to the basketball court.

“When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn’t be returning, he was one of the first people that was on my line, calling me… There’s a lot of times that I just don’t answer the phone, for a lot of phone calls. Because I don’t want to be swayed in one way. I already know what you’re calling about. But he’s such a great person, I can’t not talk to him.”

Despite his close ties to Maxey, James wasn’t believed to be viewing Philadelphia as a legitimate landing spot until after the team made a deal with Boston to acquire Brown. On Friday’s podcast, the four-time MVP confirmed that the trade put the Sixers firmly on his radar and made it clear he’s looking forward to playing with the All-NBA wing.

“I love the way that he approaches the game,” James said of Brown. “Both sides of the floor, what he brings to the game, his insight on the game. I’ve watched him – kind of misunderstood, and that is absolutely okay. I think we’re all individuals for a reason. And everyone’s always trying to put everybody in the same box. And I love what he stands for, what he brings to the table, in that fashion.

James’ glowing remarks about Maxey and Brown came as little surprise, given that reporting back in July indicated they were both factors in his decision. However, LeBron also spoke to Nash about why the opportunity to join forces with Embiid, a seven-time All-Star and former MVP, appealed to him.

“He’s done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship,” James said. “And I want to try to help him get that first one. He’s been the MVP of our league, has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, a bunch of money, beautiful family, he has everything. He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there.

“But I think it’s time we even get you deeper into The Process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump, and have him maybe see it a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career, as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day, what it takes to get there.”

With James and Brown set to join Maxey, Embiid, and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe in the 76ers’ starting lineup, many of the pre-camp conversations about the new-look team have revolved around how so many ball-dominant players will mesh offensively. But James spent plenty of time talking to Nash about Philadelphia’s defensive potential, suggesting that Edgecombe has the tools to be an All-Defensive player and noting that getting stops and creating turnovers will allow Maxey and Edgecombe to use their speed in transition.

James pointed to the 2019 Raptors championship team as an example of a Nick Nurse squad featuring several “high-IQ” players who took pride in playing aggressive defense and winning the possession battle. LeBron is hopeful this year’s Sixers can emulate that approach.

“We have the speed, we have the athleticism, now it’s about, do we have the discipline to actually be able to take that on the defensive end and hold each other accountable too?” James said. “Because that’s what it’s about. We’ve got to force guys into contested twos, try not to give up straight-line drives, don’t give up corner threes, and then we’ve got to rebound, you know? As fast, athletic as we can be, we can’t do s–t if we don’t get the rebound. So that’s important.”