LeBron James offered an early glimpse into the Philadelphia 76ers’ potential after Saturday’s Blue vs. White scrimmage, emphasizing the team’s gradual progress, flexibility and defensive upside.
James, who joined Philadelphia in free agency this offseason after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, said the scrimmage was another opportunity for the team to build chemistry.
“We’re just trying to build,” James said. “Every day is an opportunity for us to get better and better. It’s just a 1% each day mentality for us.”
The 76ers provided their first public look at James alongside Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
James said he has quickly become more comfortable in his new environment, crediting Philadelphia for making his transition smooth.
“Everybody’s been super welcoming,” he said. “I’ve been able to implement some things, you know, with my voice and just my command of how I play the game and my experience of playing the game.”
However, James said the 76ers have not yet formally defined his offensive role.
“We haven’t given our roles yet,” James said. “I think coach Nurse and coaching staff said they will do that at some point as they continue to see how we all fit together on the floor.”
The veteran forward reiterated that he is willing to adapt to whatever Philadelphia needs from him.
“I know what I can do to help this team win,” James said. “I have the ability to pick up wherever the team may need. Whatever, it doesn’t matter to me.”
James was also asked about VJ Edgecombe, who is entering his second NBA season. He praised the young guard’s approach and basketball intelligence.
“Very cerebral player and he’s always looking ways to get better on the floor,” James said. “Even at his young age, definitely feels like he’s much older. Feels like he’s definitely not in year two.”
One of the biggest areas of focus for Philadelphia will be defense. James believes the 76ers have the personnel to become one of the league’s better defensive teams if they consistently commit to that end of the floor.
“I think the potential of our team defensively can be very high,” James said. “We could be a top 10 if not top five defensive team if we commit every night.”
James explained that defensive success will require collective effort rather than relying solely on individual talent.
“It starts at the point of attack,” he said. “Who’s ever picking the ball up, we have to have four guys behind them with eyes and ears just like communicating, you know, constantly throughout the whole possession.”
He also stressed the importance of finishing defensive possessions with rebounds.
“Don’t matter how much firepower we have offensively, if we’re not cleaning glass or we’re not rebounding, we’re never going to get out in transition,” James said.
Philadelphia finished 45-37 last season before being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The 76ers then acquired Brown for Paul George and signed James to a two-year minimum contract with a player option for the second season.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 games last season, while Brown posted career highs of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for Boston.
With James, Brown, Maxey and Embiid now forming the core of the roster, Philadelphia will continue building toward its regular-season opener against the Knicks on October 20.
