Sixers envision LeBron James as offensive ‘table setter’

LeBron James is 41 years old, joining a new team and entering his 24th NBA season.

Naturally, the Sixers are considering putting even more responsibility in his hands.

Philadelphia has discussed using James as a point forward, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. That doesn’t necessarily mean LeBron will bring the ball up every possession. Coach Nick Nurse just wants him heavily involved in deciding where it goes next.

“I just think LeBron, I consider him a great offense creator,” Nurse said. “I don’t necessarily mean scorer, I just think creator and a table setter and all that kind of stuff.”

That’s certainly one way to handle a roster with a lot of mouths to feed. The Sixers have LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, all of whom are accustomed to significant offensive roles. Nurse said Philadelphia has several “grab-and-go” players who will be free to push the ball after rebounds.

But when the Sixers settle into the halfcourt, it sounds as if plenty will run through James.

“If it isn’t bringing it up and starting [the possession], it’s probably going to be first pass anyway to [him on] the wing,” Nurse said.

Meanwhile, Brown is working on something considerably less complicated: Getting to know everybody.

After spending his first 10 seasons in Boston, Brown told The Athletic that developing “good vibes” off the court matters, too. He has already called Maxey a “great leader” and “great host,” per PhillyVoice.

The Sixers have plenty of talent. Now Nurse has to figure out how all of it fits together. LeBron apparently will get the first crack at helping him solve it.