Inquirer.com – Zurich DR

Author: Gina Mizell

  • LeBron James makes first public appearance at Blue x White scrimmage and puts on show for ‘Philly faithful’

    LeBron James makes first public appearance at Blue x White scrimmage and puts on show for ‘Philly faithful’

    The crowd noise inside Xfinity Mobile Arena swelled as public address announcer Matt Cord’s booming voice said, “At 6-9, from St. Vincent-St. Mary … ” before introducing LeBron James. It erupted again the first time the all-time great touched the ball, then when James dished a pass to Joel Embiid for a three-pointer, then when James buried his own shot from beyond the arc.

    James’ first public appearance in a 76ers (practice) jersey Saturday afternoon came with far more hubbub than a typical preseason scrimmage. His impact was apparent all over the floor as a facilitator, pace-pusher and scorer for the revamped Sixers roster now expected to contend in a deep Eastern Conference.

    New-look Sixers roster should allow Nick Nurse to get into his ‘bag’ on defense

    For James, the annual Blue x White scrimmage was an “extension of training camp” and in his personal onboarding process in his first official days with his new team.

    “As far as in the building, it’s been very smooth, in the simple fact that everybody’s been super welcoming,” James said following the scrimmage. “I’ve been able to implement some things in my voice, and as far as my command in how I play the game, and my experience of playing the game.

    “I’m still getting more and more comfortable off the floor, as far as with the travel and without my family and things of that nature. So that’s going to be a little bit of a challenge. But everything’s been good so far. It’s been a great first week.”

    The Sixers’ signing of the legendary James — plus trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown as part of a shocking offseason — prompted the move of their annual public scrimmage from their G League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats’ facility in Wilmington to South Philly in order to accommodate more fans. With skyrocketing ticket prices for the regular season, this might be the only time some of those in attendance Saturday will get to see this star-studded roster in person. Admission was a $10 donation to the Sixers Youth Foundation, with 5,000 tickets provided to families that receive grants from the organization’s nonprofit affiliate along with youth organizations and community partners.

    LeBron James handles the ball as Dean Wade, left, defends in the Sixers’ public scrimmage. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    It was the start of a new relationship between Sixers fans and James, who said at media day that he appreciated the mutual respect and hate he received during his previous trips to Philly as an opponent.

    Those in the stands Saturday got to watch James, wearing No. 9 instead of his iconic 23, deliver a behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe in the corner. And throw down an alley-oop from Tyrese Maxey. And hit another step-back three-pointer.

    After averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, James maintained Saturday that he is willing “to pick up whatever a team may need” as the Sixers aim to best maximize their top-end talent.

    “I’m just trying to fast-track everything, offensively and defensively,” James said. “The commands. The calls. The reads, and everything they’ve had in place over the few years. I’m stepping into a new system and I’m stepping into a whole new environment.”

    The bulk of James’ initial work, however, has been in the privacy of the Sixers’ practice facility. Coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Mike Gansey recently commended James’ consistent early arrival for his meticulous personal routine ahead of practice. Though his strong rapport with Maxey is already well-documented, James on Saturday reminded that he also has brief history with Embiid as part of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

    Jaylen Brown shares details of his onboarding process — on and off the court — with the Sixers

    Gansey also called James a tone-setter; that, at age 41, he is still diving on the floor for loose balls during practice.

    “I mean, the guy is the biggest professional I’ve ever seen,” said Gansey, who also was in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office during James’ championship-winning stint with that team.

    Once the Sixers begin preseason play Monday against the New York Knicks, James said he hopes to continue gaining rhythm with new teammates but “not overdo it” physically leading up to a high-profile Oct. 20 opening night at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers’ home opener is two nights later, against James’ familiar Cavaliers.

    Yet Saturday afternoon will always mark the first time James got Cord’s booming introduction inside Xfinity Mobile Arena. Fans hung around the building long after the scrimmage concluded, at one point abruptly swarming to a fence overlooking the parking lot where players come and go.

    They wanted a glimpse of James leaving his new home arena.

    “Obviously, it was fun to be able to play in front of some of our Philly faithful for the first time,” James said. “ … It was a great first step in the direction we’re trying to go. And, like I said, it was great to hear some cheers.”

  • Sixers’ rookie Labaron Philon Jr. already had his welcome to the NBA moment with LeBron: ‘It’s here now’

    Sixers’ rookie Labaron Philon Jr. already had his welcome to the NBA moment with LeBron: ‘It’s here now’

    On the first day of 76ers training camp, Labaron Philon Jr. found himself backpedaling as LeBron James barreled toward him full-speed.

    “That’s when the moment really hit,” Philon said. “I was like, ‘All right, it’s here now.’”

    Consider it an early dose of “Welcome to the NBA” — and to the Sixers’ loaded roster — for the rookie point guard. But so far, Philon’s belief that he has been “able to stand [his] ground” against teammates with far more experience and established star power has been echoed by coach Nick Nurse. In these early practices, Nurse said he has been “super impressed” with Philon’s defensive competitiveness and ability to create offensively with the ball in his hands.

    “He’s really talented,” Nurse said. “But the vision is, like, I think really special.”

    Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti have battled since they were teenagers. Now, they are vying to be the Sixers’ backup center

    Nurse’s early praise for Philon should not be dismissed as a preseason pump-up. Two years ago, Jared McCain was lauded as the Sixers’ best player during training camp, then became an early NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner before tearing his meniscus. Last year, Nurse had zero hesitation about immediately inserting VJ Edgecombe into the starting lineup following a preseason that confirmed his maturity and versatility.

    And it’s easy to forget that the Sixers’ wild offseason began when Philon slipped to them at No. 22 overall in the NBA draft.

    In a strong class of lead ballhandlers, ESPN commentator and longtime coach Fran Fraschilla said Philon had the potential to be the best of the bunch. After Philon went from defensive stopper as a freshman at Alabama to top offensive option as a sophomore — he averaged 22 points on 39.9% shooting from three-point range, along with 4.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 32 games in 2025-26 — Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey and Nurse said on draft night that they expected the 20-year-old to instantly contend for a rotation role. He then flashed his crafty ballhalding and fearless shot-taking during Las Vegas Summer League.

    “I think he’s going [up] quickly,” Nurse told a small group of reporters in Las Vegas in July. “I think he’s got some confidence to him that I don’t think he’ll be afraid. I think he’ll make the most of the opportunity.”

    The Sixers picked Lebaron Philon Jr. 22nd overall in the NBA draft.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    That Las Vegas stint came amid the Sixers’ stunning roster transformation. They traded for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown, then signed the legendary James. They also added fellow guard Anfernee Simons along with wings Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as more proven role players.

    Still, Philon’s comments Friday — along with the occasional video clip posted by the Sixers’ social media team — suggested that he has been working in practice with the Sixers’ second unit. He said he has been building chemistry with Ariel Hukporti, who is the backup center while Adem Bona nurses a knee injury.

    The 6-foot-4, 176-pound Philon said his first on-court priority with this group is to be a “ball hawk,” in the right spot to swipe steals as part of Nurse’s aggressive defensive philosophy. On the offensive end, Philon credited Alabama coach Nate Oats’ NBA-style system with helping him arrive in Camden already comfortable enough to use his voice to direct older teammates and play “on the fly.” Though passing has always been one of Philon’s strengths, he emphasized the importance of making the “easiest” decisions.

    “Right now, I don’t really need no ‘showtime’ or kind of flashy plays,” he said. “The position I’m in right now, it’s, like, making the right play every time.”

    Jaylen Brown shares details of his onboarding process — on and off the court — with the Sixers

    As Philon continues his NBA transition, he vowed to “have questions ready every day” for his more experienced teammates. He recently asked Brown about how he remains focused to hit tough fadeaway jumpers through the defender’s contest. He wants to learn all of James’ secrets for career longevity. He has gotten tidbits from Edgecombe his rookie experience and on shaping his prepractice routine. And he has engaged in one-on-one conversations with All-NBA point guard Tyrese Maxey about proper reads to make when the first option is not available.

    “That takes a lot from everybody,” Philon said. “So I feel like I’ve been appreciating that, just being happy that those guys are here to help.”

    There are bound to be more moments when Philon is caught backpedaling — figuratively and literally — during his rookie season on a Sixers team facing high pressure and expectations. But he already exudes the belief that he will continue standing his ground.

    It’s a confidence Nurse and teammates share.

    “Labaron’s good,” Simons matter-of-factly said at media day. “He’s good, for sure. … There are going to be times when, for sure, we’re going to need him.”

  • Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti have battled since they were teenagers. Now, they are vying to be the Sixers’ backup center

    Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti have battled since they were teenagers. Now, they are vying to be the Sixers’ backup center

    Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti first met on the basketball floor as teenagers, while playing for the Turkish and German national team programs, respectively. They were on rival teams again when they reached the NBA, with the 76ers and New York Knicks.

    Still, Bona smiled and said, “That’s my guy” when asked about Hukporti at Monday’s Sixers media day.

    Now they are teammates, after Hukporti signed as a free agent following his stint as a deep reserve on the Knicks’ championship run. Their longstanding healthy competition has shifted internally, for an important role on this star-heavy Sixers roster with massive expectations. Bona and Hukporti, who are less proven than several of their bench counterparts, are the primary contenders to fill the backup center minutes behind Joel Embiid — and to start when Embiid inevitably misses games to manage his health.

    Jaylen Brown shares details of his onboarding process — on and off the court — with the Sixers

    “People can say ‘battle’ or whatever,” Hukporti said following Thursday’s training camp practice. “But when it comes to the end goal, [you’re] coming together as a team and you produce as a team. It don’t matter. It can be me playing five minutes, [Bona] playing 15 minutes. Me playing 25 minutes, him playing 15. …

    “Whoever gets in, gets in. Get the job done. Especially in the playoffs, we need everybody. We need all players.”

    Hukporti would know. The 7-footer received spot minutes during the Knicks’ playoff tear, including in Game 1 of their second-round series sweep of the Sixers when All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and sound backup Mitchell Robinson got into early foul trouble.

    Still, in an overwhelmingly lauded first offseason for new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey — which included signing all-time great LeBron James, trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown, and adding role players such as Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons — the Hukporti signing arrived with the most uncertainty. The 24-year-old has logged 715 total minutes across 79 career games in his first two NBA seasons, averaging 2.1 points and 2.7 rebounds.

    The 6-10 Bona, meanwhile, held the Sixers’ backup center role for the bulk of last season. And in several games Embiid did not play, Bona maintained the reserve minutes behind veteran Andre Drummond, who coincidentally left Philly to sign with the Knicks in free agency.

    Sixers center Adem Bona has missed training camp for a knee injury. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Bona is an excellent athlete and shot-blocker, but is still raw offensively and has struggled with fouling and catching the ball. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 71 games with 18 starts last season, and also has expressed a strong desire to play next to Embiid in big lineups. In July, the Sixers guaranteed Bona’s $2.3 million salary for the final year of his contract in 2026-27, creating a crucial season for the 23-year-old.

    Yet with Bona sidelined with a foot sprain sustained while playing for Turkey over the summer, opportunity has surfaced for Hukporti so far during training camp.

    While highlighting the Sixers’ new-look bench unit Thursday, coach Nick Nurse called Hukporti “athletic, long, [and] plays really hard. He’s been awesome to see.” Hukporti added that he hopes to showcase more of his offensive repertoire with the Sixers, with “quite-good” ball movement during early practices helping him get to his floater and around-the-rim finishes.

    Hukporti’s current spot on the depth chart also has meant matching up against Embiid, who has impressed Hukporti with his post game and patience to get to his spots on the floor.

    “Obviously, he was an MVP in this league,” Hukporti said of Embiid. “And it just makes me a way better defender.”

    Tyrese Maxey calls Jaylen Brown a ‘freak of nature’ at start of Sixers training camp

    Nurse said Thursday that Bona is expected to be reevaluated in the next couple days and could be available to play at some point during the preseason. Fellow returners Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker, who both parlayed two-way contracts into standard deals last season, are small-ball center options. The 7-6 Tacko Fall, who is on an Exhibit 10 deal and in contention to land the Sixers’ final two-way contract, is out at least two weeks with a hip issue. James has even played center at points during his legendary career.

    But the Sixers’ prime position battle begins with former “rivals” Bona and Hukporti, who have been competing against each other in some capacity since they were teenagers.

    “Now we’re on the same team,” Hukporti said. “So it’s been nothing but a blessing.”

  • Tyrese Maxey calls Jaylen Brown a ‘freak of nature’ at start of Sixers training camp

    Tyrese Maxey calls Jaylen Brown a ‘freak of nature’ at start of Sixers training camp

    The 76ers’ practice court was empty as the team began to cycle through interviews following their second day of training camp Wednesday afternoon.

    Then, a shirtless Jaylen Brown emerged for an individual workout with new assistant coach Phil Handy, plus a player development coach bumping Brown as the All-NBA wing executed post-up moves.

    Teammate Tyrese Maxey still used the term “foreign” to describe how it must feel for Brown to be inside the Sixers’ facility.

    After spending his first 10 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics, where he developed into a five-time All-Star and Finals MVP, Brown in July was shockingly traded to the Sixers team he was “trained to hate, probably,” Maxey said. The timing was particularly “crazy,” Maxey said, after the Sixers’ dramatic seven-game, first-round playoff upset of the Celtics less than five months ago.

    “I feel like I’ve played against Jaylen so many times,” said Maxey, an All-NBA point guard who is entering his seventh season with the Sixers. “But when you’re with somebody every single day, it’s different.”

    ‘Really tall’ Dean Wade is here to shoot the ball and help the Sixers defense

    Brown is coming off his best individual season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while star teammate Jayson Tatum recovered from Achilles surgery. Maxey said he has immediately been impressed with Brown’s communication and willingness to guard the ballhandler. Maxey also called Brown an “awesome cutter,” a valuable skill on a team with several top-notch ballhandlers and shot creators.

    And, physically, Maxey called Brown a “freak of nature.”

    “He’s just stronger than you,” Maxey said. “He jumps higher than you. He’s faster than you, and he’s very talented. Those are the things that you see every single day.”

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe will play a key part in his team’s ability to get out in transition. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Asked to clarify if that meant Brown is faster than Maxey — who is regarded as perhaps the NBA’s speediest player — he quipped, “Nah, no chance.”

    “I wasn’t talking about me,” Maxey said.

    Sixers ready to run

    Media attending the Sixers’ first two practices did not get an in-person glimpse of all-time great LeBron James partaking in any team or individual on-court work. But the Sixers’ social media team posted a video clip from Tuesday’s session of a fastbreak that began with the ball in Maxey’s hands, before he kicked it to James, who then found VJ Edgecombe for an alley-oop dunk.

    “I was on their team [with the starters], it was so fun to play,” new forward Dean Wade said. “I played against them when they were in that flow, and there was nothing you [could] do. It’s unbelievable.”

    The immediate success with — and emphasis on — the transition game is no surprise. Last season, the 41-year-old James led the NBA in fastbreak points (5.7 per game), while Maxey was third (5.5 per game). Brown ranked 14th, at 3.6 per game. And Edgecombe is regarded as one of the league’s more electric athletes.

    So coach Nick Nurse already has been sending a consistent message of “pitch it ahead,” Maxey said.

    “I dribbled a little bit more [last season] than I probably will this year,” Maxey added. “So I’m just trying to get it ahead, no matter what, or I’m trying to run ahead or I’m trying to figure it out.”

    Last season, the Sixers ranked ninth in fastbreak points, at 16.9 per game. Getting into the open court is a way for the team to capitalize on forced turnovers, one of Nurse’s prime defensive philosophies. It also is a way to get easy buckets even while figuring out offensive schemes and roles, now with a loaded roster featuring four players who have been All-Stars and offensive focal points in their careers.

    Dealing with ‘noise’ part of Sixers season, even that from LeBron James’ helicopter

    Those open-court opportunities still come with nuance. Maxey said he has spent these early days learning where new teammates want the ball in such scenarios, or who might pull up for a three-pointer.

    “And then, at the end of the day, we also have No. 21 [Joel Embiid] trailing in,” Maxey said. “So that’s a pretty good option, too.”

    Embiid ‘looks amazing’

    The Sixers’ biggest positional question mark entering 2026-27 has been shorthanded at the start of training camp.

    Adem Bona, the Sixers’ backup center for most of last season, has been nursing a sprained foot sustained while playing for the Turkish national team during the summer. The 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall, who is on an Exhibit 10 contract and a contender for the team’s final two-way deal, had a hip issue that took him out about midway through Wednesday’s practice, Nurse said.

    Not on the injury report? Embiid, a noteworthy tidbit given the former MVP’s injury struggles in recent seasons.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid has received credit for coming to training camp in great shape. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Embiid arrived at Monday’s media day noticeably slimmer and said that he was finally able to work on his game during the offseason. Maxey added Wednesday that Embiid, his longest-tenured teammate and close friend, has looked “amazing” — and happy — during initial practices.

    “When you’re healthy and you’re happy and you’re at peace with your life and basketball,” Maxey said, “that’s when you’re at your best. He’s been great. He’s Joel.”

  • The star-studded Sixers take their first steps, starting with a ‘vision’ presentation from Nick Nurse

    The star-studded Sixers take their first steps, starting with a ‘vision’ presentation from Nick Nurse

    Nick Nurse began the 76ers’ 2026 training camp the same way he always has: With a 30-minute presentation of his “vision” for the season before players and coaches hit the practice floor.

    It is safe to assume Nurse sees immense potential in the group that, after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown during a stunning offseason, finally assembled in an official capacity Tuesday. Now they have begun their initial steps to put together this star-studded puzzle, including a practice Nurse described as competitive and defense-focused.

    “From start to finish, the intensity never dropped,” standout second-year guard VJ Edgecombe added.

    For now, outsiders must take the Sixers’ words for it. The massive media contingent was permitted to enter the gym only at the end of the practice and, by then, Edgecombe and newcomer Anfernee Simons were the only notable players still on the court going through individual shooting work.

    Dealing with ‘noise’ part of Sixers season, even that from LeBron James’ helicopter

    James emphasized during Monday’s media day that the revamped Sixers cannot expect to make “instant oatmeal,” that it takes “uncomfortable” repetition and “collective sacrifice” to turn on-paper talent into on-court contention. When James has changed teams during his historic 24-year career, they have traditionally gotten off to mediocre-to-shaky starts while figuring out roles and rhythm in real time. The goal, of course, is for the Sixers to be peaking in mid-April, not late September, as part of a suddenly deep Eastern Conference headlined by the defending champion New York Knicks.

    Yet weeks before arriving in Camden, James and several other players attempted to begin building their foundation as Sixers.

    Edgecombe boasted Monday about creating a get-to-know-you group chat when the Sixers traded for Brown — but had to ask All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey to add James once he signed later that month. Though Maxey has consistently spent summers working out with James, a fellow Klutch agency client, this year they could experiment with two-man actions to run as teammates and drill nuances such as angles and the timing of cuts. Brown joined for some sessions that circulated on social media. Maxey also linked with Edgecombe and Simons for on-court work.

    “That’s pretty dope in the summertime,” Maxey said. “That’s not common. … [We] tried to build that camaraderie early, and I think it’ll help us in the long run.”

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe talks with members of the media after practice.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    The excitement from outsiders for training camp’s start also permeated the Sixers’ staff conversations leading up to Tuesday, Nurse acknowledged. The team chose not to go off-site for this week’s practices, with the coach half-joking that they are “still trying to recover” from last year’s preseason trip to Abu Dhabi.

    Tactically, Nurse focused Tuesday on defensive fundamentals such as quickly setting up in transition and ending possessions by blocking out for a rebound. Those principles feed into his philosophy to win the possession battle by forcing turnovers and crashing the glass, and would be a welcomed complement to the Sixers’ offensive firepower.

    And throughout Tuesday’s session, Nurse said, players’ “individual qualities [got to] shine at different moments.”

    Former NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid was a full participant, which Nurse called “very, very good news” compared to how his health has entered previous training camps. James was a vocal “example-setter,” the coach added, while Brown looked like the All-NBA wing the Sixers recently competed against in the playoffs’ first round. Edgecombe said he did not move as timidly as in his first training camp last year.

    “I want these guys to be who they are,” Nurse said. “I want them to not have rigid roles.”

    LeBron James is here because of Tyrese Maxey. That says something about both of them.

    Perhaps nothing will be more valuable than the repetitions of the coming days and weeks, allowing players to organically learn teammates’ tendencies. Nurse is sure to tinker with various lineup combinations, acknowledging again Tuesday that the aging (and injury-conscious) James and Embiid will miss games throughout the season. On-the-floor communication and collaboration, between teammates and coaches, will lead into post-practice film study.

    Those are all components of the initial steps for this star-studded roster with soaring outside expectations and attention. And with Tuesday’s much-anticipated “vision” presentation and first practice complete, Nurse stressed the need “to get up tomorrow, like 98% as excited as we did today.”

    “It’s going to be hard to get as excited as we all were today, right?” Nurse said. “But we need to come back, and we need to keep climbing that mountain. That’s a daily process.”

  • LeBron James’ goal in Philly is clear: ‘I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round’

    LeBron James’ goal in Philly is clear: ‘I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round’

    LeBron James grabbed and glanced at the name tag perched on a table, then quipped, “You guys know who I am, right?”

    Those assembled inside the 76ers’ practice facility did, of course. James, one of the NBA’s all-time greats and a mainstream international celebrity, generally commands such hubbub. But the blue No. 23 jersey that James wore Monday amped that attention up even more. New teammate Tyrese Maxey even called seeing his friend and summer workout buddy’s new professional attire “really just weird.”

    In James’ long-anticipated first day inside these walls — and first time speaking publicly since he chose the Sixers in a stunning free-agency move in July — the future Hall of Famer touched on needing to learn new streets and new people. The Northeast Ohio native mentioned reacclimating to weather in this part of the country, on the tail end of the weekend’s Nor’easter storm. James acknowledged the outside noise surrounding the Sixers will be “doubled and tripped and quadrupled now that I’m here.”

    LeBron James stays cagey and lauding Tyrese Maxey’s work on the phones. Here are five takeaways from Sixers media day

    Yet James reemphasized that his goal, in perhaps his last destination in a storied NBA career, is to seize the Sixers’ newfound super team status. The four-time champion hopes to provide the “blueprint” for the “collective sacrifice” and consistent work habits required to reach the NBA mountaintop, a feat the Sixers have not accomplished in more than four decades.

    “Everyone wants, like, instant oatmeal,” James said at the Sixers’ media day ahead of the start of training camp. “You just put the oatmeal in the bowl, you put water in it, throw it in the microwave, and in a minute-and-a-half, you’ve got something to eat. You’re ready to go.

    LeBron James on Philly sports fans: 'They know ball'
    Video: LeBron James on Philly sports fans: ‘They know ball’

    “If you want to do something special, it takes time. And it takes, every single day, doing things that you may not want to do. Because it’s the same thing, over and over and over and over and over, repetition after repetition after repetition. …

    “That is the best way to expedite being great: You have to fall in love with doing things [that are] uncomfortable. And if we can do that, we can be a great team. If we don’t do that, then we’ll be like, ‘Oh, man, that was a great team on paper and we had a lot of great talent, and we lost in the second round.’”

    LeBron James wore a Sixers jersey for the first time on Monday. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    When asked directly Monday if the 41-year-old James, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, views Philly as his “final stop,” James did not fully commit. He said “that would be doing a disservice to myself on just living in the moment” entering season No. 24.

    James did give a brief recap of why he chose Philly in July, including agent Rich Paul’s infamous white board breaking down his contenders in a podcast episode. James reinforced that multiple conversations with Maxey, an All-NBA guard and fellow Klutch client, was “one of the main deciding factors” in him selecting the Sixers over previous teams the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, among other suitors.

    LeBron James on how much Tyrese Maxey played a factor in his decision to choose Philly
    Video: LeBron James on how much Tyrese Maxey played a factor in his decision to choose Philly

    James hopes his vast experience — he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time league Most Valuable Player — can aid new teammates such as Joel Embiid, also a former MVP, and an organization with rich history seeking its first NBA title since 1983. James also still provides top-notch on-court production, basketball IQ, and versatility. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists with the Los Angeles Lakers last season — and said he is willing to do “whatever the team needs for me to do.”

    “I think the luxury of my game is I can do everything,” James said, candidly. “Literally, I can do everything.”

    Joel Embiid looks light, sounds optimistic about his new teammates and Sixers’ chances

    Added Maxey: “He’s worked for everything he’s gotten. He was put on a pedestal [as a prospect] where a lot of guys don’t succeed, and he’s probably surpassed expectations.”

    James’ illustrious career has included numerous trips to Philly, even dating back to a high school game played at The Palestra. He commended that the city’s passionate sports fans “know ball,” and that, as an opponent, he felt “a mutual respect … but we hate you.”

    “I actually really love that,” James said. “I really thrive under that circumstance. … I’m happy to be on this side, though.”

    LeBron James is focused on 'living in the moment' with the Sixers
    Video: LeBron James is focused on ‘living in the moment’ with the Sixers

    During conversations and workouts in the weeks since choosing the Sixers, James said he has felt that the organization’s key figures are “on the same page.” Training camp opens Tuesday, ahead of an Oct. 20 opener at the defending champion New York Knicks.

    James cautioned against expecting “instant oatmeal.” But his ultimate goal — for this newly assembled super team, and in perhaps his legendary career’s final chapter — was clear.

    “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” James said. “I know that, for sure. Work needs to be done, and I’m ready to put the work in.”

  • Can Anfernee Simons provide the Sixers with bench scoring punch? A Trail Blazers reporter weighs in.

    Can Anfernee Simons provide the Sixers with bench scoring punch? A Trail Blazers reporter weighs in.

    A wild 76ers offseason is nearing its end, after they stunningly signed LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown to vault into championship contender status. Media day is Monday, with training camp beginning Tuesday prior to an Oct. 20 opener at the defending champion New York Knicks.

    To help Sixers followers get acquainted with the newcomers on this revamped roster, The Inquirer reached out to reporters who covered those players on their previous teams.

    Next up is Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin, who covered Anfernee Simons’ tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers.

    Gina Mizell: Simons’ three-point shooting is obviously what initially sticks out about his skill set. How did he develop into such a dangerous, high-volume threat?

    SH: A combination of his own work ethic and some osmosis. In the same way that CJ McCollum picked up a lot of parts of Damian Lillard’s game from playing next to/behind him early on, and eventually developed into a reasonable facsimile of that type of player, that’s what a lot of Simons’ offensive development has been.

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    GM: How big of an issue is his defense, especially when he could spend time playing alongside fellow small guards Tyrese Maxey and/or Labaron Philon Jr. with the Sixers?

    SH: The defense is definitely a liability, but the role and expectations are very different in Philly than they were here. In Portland, he was making big money and expecting to start and be the veteran on a young team and play over 30 minutes a game, so his deficiencies on that end were a lot more noticeable. He’s going to be a bench player making less than mid-level money in Philadelphia whose job is to come in and score, so the defense is something you can live with a little more.

    GM: Where did Simons’ game most progress during his Blazers stint? Were there any aspects that did not progress as much as you expected?

    SH: The bones of what his game became were there when he was drafted. The difference has been his confidence and efficiency as a scorer improving as he got bigger opportunities.

    LeBron James, center, and guard Anfernee Simons, right, are now both members of the Sixers. Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-Ima
    GM: What did you observe from afar in how his game has translated since leaving Portland, particularly while fitting into that terrific Celtics regular season?

    SH: He’s the same player that he was in Portland, but his role in Boston (which will presumably be the same in Philly) is a lot closer to what he should be than what he was expected to be here. Is he a starting lead guard on a contending team? No. Is he a great bench scorer on a team with those expectations? Absolutely.

    GM: What’s he like as a teammate and locker-room personality?

    SH: He’s a really good guy, very low-maintenance. Not the most vocal leader, but someone everybody respects because they know the work he puts in, and he’s become much more comfortable being vocal as he’s gotten older. He’ll fit right in. On a team with so many voices that command so much attention like LeBron, Jaylen, Embiid and Maxey, he doesn’t have to do any of the “leader” stuff.

  • What makes the Sixers’ Dean Wade such a valuable role player? A Cavaliers reporter weighs in.

    What makes the Sixers’ Dean Wade such a valuable role player? A Cavaliers reporter weighs in.

    A wild 76ers offseason has finally settled, after they stunningly signed LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown to vault into championship contender status.

    To help Sixers followers get acquainted with the newcomers on this revamped roster, The Inquirer reached out to reporters who covered those players on their previous teams.

    Next up is Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, who covered Dean Wade’s rise from undrafted two-way player to key forward for the Cavaliers.

    Gina Mizell: Wade is the epitome of a self-made player. How did he turn himself from an undrafted two-way signee into a top-notch NBA role player? Was there a moment or stretch during his Cleveland tenure when you realized he was shaping into a rotation contributor?

    Chris Fedor: Beyond his relentless work ethic, Wade’s approach played a significant role in him becoming a rotational regular. As the Cavaliers were in the midst of a sometimes-painful rebuild, on-court development became an organizational point of emphasis. Many youngsters — Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro — were getting consistent opportunities.

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    Around the midway point of the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Wade finally got his chance, being moved into the starting lineup because of his size and defensive versatility. Wade quickly understood he wasn’t going to make his mark as a prolific scorer. He had to do the little things, some of which wouldn’t show up on the stat sheet. That’s what the Cavaliers needed. That’s why they gave him a promotion. That’s when he started focusing on being the best defender possible, willing to take the most difficult matchups.

    GM: Wade is most known as a terrific defender, but that impact does not always show up in the box score. What are the traits that make him so good on that end of the floor, and how did those develop over time?

    CF: It’s funny because most nights the traditional box score won’t show Wade doing much of anything. Not a lot of points. A low shot total. A couple rebounds. Maybe a steal or two. And then you glance at the far right and see his positive plus-minus. For the last few years, it led to fans — and coaches — wondering how that number was so high and why he was such a great fit in Cleveland’s starting lineup. It finally got to a point where people stopped asking those questions and just accepted him being an unheralded difference-maker, with a consistently positive on-off differential.

    Dean Wade’s defense made him a key contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers, elevating him from undrafted free agent to NBA starter. Phil Long / AP

    Much of that impact was tied to his defense — [he was] the best wing defender on the roster. Listed at 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, Wade has the length, strength and sturdiness to play up in position, even being used as a small-ball five at various points the last few years. He also has surprisingly good feet that allow him to, at the very least, hold his own against smaller perimeter-oriented guards. During the Cavaliers’ run to the conference finals, Wade matched up against Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, and even Jalen Brunson. With Wade on the floor in the postseason, Cleveland had a stingy 109.3 defensive rating. With him off the floor, its defensive rating was 114.8. He was just one of three players with a positive net rating over those 18 games. James Harden and Jarrett Allen were the others.

    GM: Which complementary offensive attributes are most going to serve Wade on this star-studded roster? Are there any Sixers players that you envision him particularly thriving alongside?

    CF: Wade often joked about his offensive job being simple. Space the floor. Stay out of the way. Knock down open shots. Given the number of ball-dominant stars on Philadelphia’s roster, having a low-volume and low-usage player like Wade is certainly beneficial. He has a unique ability to make a positive impact without touches or shots. He knows how to fill in the gaps and fit in a variety of lineups. He impacts winning at a high level. Given the attention Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James all command, Wade will be able to thrive alongside all those guys as a capable catch-and-shoot guy who has made better than 36% of his three-pointers in each of the last three seasons.

    GM: How big of a concern should his recent injury history be? He has not reached 60 regular-season games in each of the past five seasons.

    CF: Injuries are an issue. They have been going back to college — one of the reasons he went undrafted. Shoulder. Knee. Ankle. Foot. They keep piling up. And sometimes at the worst possible moment. Understanding his importance, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson monitored Wade’s regular-season minutes.

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    Atkinson was determined to keep Wade fresh and healthy. It worked. But getting through the 82-game grind has been a challenge and it wouldn’t be a surprise, especially given president of basketball operations Mike Gansey’s internal knowledge of Wade’s health, to see the Sixers take a similar approach.

    GM: How would you describe him as a teammate and inside a locker room, especially on a team with such high expectations and big personalities?

    CF: Wade gets along with everyone. That won’t be a problem. He was one of Jarrett Allen’s groomsmen. He was Sam Merrill’s neighbor. He was in the team’s fantasy football league. He cracked jokes. He talked about sports, movies, TV shows, books, college experiences and music — the usual locker-room chatter. But it did feel like at times Wade wondered whether he truly belonged.

    From a tiny Kansas town where most people become electricians or farmers, Wade seemed to struggle with impostor syndrome, and his confidence vacillated. Almost like, “Should I really be taking this shot, or would it be better for one of my more accomplished teammates?” I mean, his teammates had to scream at him to shoot because he had a tendency to bypass open looks. Perhaps this new contract, the biggest of his career, will give him a mental boost. But it’s something to watch on a team with high expectations, big personalities, and potential drama. Because, let’s face it, LeBron will bring drama. Always does.

  • How much does Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have left in the tank? An Orlando Magic beat writer weighs in.

    How much does Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have left in the tank? An Orlando Magic beat writer weighs in.

    A wild 76ers offseason has finally settled, after they stunningly signed LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown to vault into championship contender status.

    To help Sixers followers get acquainted with the newcomers on this revamped roster, The Inquirer reached out to reporters who covered those players on their previous teams.

    Next up is The Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede, who covered veteran 3-and-D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during his 2024-25 stint with the Orlando Magic, where he played before joining the Memphis Grizzlies via trade for the 2025-26 season.

    Gina Mizell: Given that you saw up close how the Magic’s praised 2024 signing of Caldwell-Pope did not work out as anticipated, what should the Sixers reasonably expect out of him at this point in his career? Why didn’t it work out with a win-now Orlando team, after championship-winning stints with the Nuggets and Lakers?

    Jason Beede: Given where Caldwell-Pope is at in his career and the amount of talent on the Sixers’ roster, I would anticipate him to be a trustworthy bench piece who can also start in a pinch. He actually remained relatively healthy during his one year with the Magic (started in all of his 77 regular season appearances) but only played 51 games this past season with the Grizzlies, starting just 14. I think one of the main reasons it didn’t work out with the Magic is that the fit wasn’t quite right. Orlando needed KCP’s toughness on defense and championship experience in the locker room but the team required more shooting from him.

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    To be sure, all of Orlando’s offensive issues certainly did not fall on KCP, but he also wasn’t as much of a solution from three-point range as they had hoped. With Philadelphia, if KCP can return to being a true 3-and-D veteran piece off the bench and consistently knock down his looks from distance while offering stout defense, he can be an underrated part of the roster. Playing alongside LeBron James again and joining forces with the likes of Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, generating those looks for KCP shouldn’t be too challenging on a nightly basis. He just has to hit them.

    GM: What most contributed to his shooting drop-off with the Magic, besides no longer receiving open looks while playing off Nikola Jokic?

    JB: It didn’t help anyone on Orlando’s roster, but especially a newcomer like Caldwell-Pope, that, five games into his first and only season with the Magic, All-Star forward Paolo Banchero suffered an oblique injury that kept him off the court for multiple months. Then Franz Wagner missed a stretch of 20 games because of the same injury, and eventually Jalen Suggs was shut down at the start of February 2025 because of a knee injury.

    New Sixers forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope defends Jaylen Brown, who will now be his teammate. Charles Krupa

    Orlando’s opening night starting lineup of Banchero, Wagner, Suggs, Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr. only played six total games together (82 minutes) across the 2024-25 season. Without the starting lineup together regularly, Caldwell-Pope found himself needing to adjust to tons of different lineups throughout the season, and I’m not sure if he ever grew comfortable with finding his shot in Orlando’s offense because of that.

    To his credit, he shot 39.2% from three-point range across the final 44 games of the season. But for the season overall, he still shot his worst three-point percentage (34.2%) since his third season in the NBA (30.9% in 2015-16 with Detroit).

    GM: Where do you think that championship experience will most rub off on these Sixers? How frequently did he reference/talk about his time playing alongside James, and what did he share about that experience?

    JB: I would say Caldwell-Pope’s championship experience will show up down the stretch of the regular season and into the postseason the most. I remember during Orlando’s first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, in 2025, that Caldwell-Pope turned his toughness up a notch and seemingly became a villain on the court in the eyes of Boston fans because of the way he was defending against guys like Brown and Jayson Tatum.

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    I don’t believe KCP is a big “rah-rah” speech sort of guy, but rather lets his play and demeanor speak for itself. He understands his role on a team and he’ll work his hardest at what’s asked of him. As for his relationship with James, I don’t personally remember him talking about it a lot. I also am not sure if we asked him about James a ton either. But I do recall him talking about his championship experience, especially with his teammates. Some of the guys, including Banchero, referred to KCP as “champ” in the locker room, and it was clear they respected and listened to him when he did speak up to the group.

    GM: Besides James, are there any Sixers teammates/lineups/etc. you think Caldwell-Pope’s skill set will complement particularly well in his expected bench role?

    JB: This might not be the flashiest answer, but I’m curious to see how often Caldwell-Pope will play alongside Dean Wade off the bench. I’ve often thought the Magic could use a player like Wade, if not Wade himself, as a veteran power forward that fits what they like.

    Both players are tough-nosed, gritty defenders and have the ability to knock down open threes when given the chance. Of course, Wade has been more consistent at that in recent years, but those two players next to each other could provide the Sixers with a spark off the bench on both sides of the floor. The two can help space the floor and set the tone on the defensive end of the court.

    GM: How else would you describe Caldwell-Pope as a teammate and locker-room presence?

    JB: KCP was a great teammate for a young Magic squad, and while he won’t be remembered fondly in Orlando, I think he’ll be welcomed back with open arms by a lot of his former teammates when Philadelphia comes to town. For context, he actually attended one of Orlando’s playoff games against the Pistons this past postseason (another Eastern Conference team he played for at the start of his career) and he sat courtside for the game at Kia Center.

    New Sixers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.Molly J. Smith

    For a number of reasons, it just didn’t work out for him with the Magic. That said, Caldwell-Pope is a great person with a beautiful family who will provide a key perspective on how to be a good person and a great player that lasts long in this league for the Sixers locker room. His performance on the court will determine how successful his reunion with James will ultimately be, but I have no doubt he’ll contribute in more ways than one in Philadelphia, even when his shot isn’t falling.

  • Is Ariel Hukporti ready to become the Sixers’ backup center? A Knicks reporter weighs in.

    Is Ariel Hukporti ready to become the Sixers’ backup center? A Knicks reporter weighs in.

    A wild 76ers offseason has finally settled, after they stunningly signed LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown to vault into championship contender status.

    To help Sixers followers get acquainted with the newcomers on this revamped roster, The Inquirer reached out to reporters who covered those players on their previous teams.

    First up is The Athletic’s James Edwards III, who covered reserve center Ariel Hukporti during his first two NBA seasons with the New York Knicks.

    Gina Mizell: Hukporti obviously did not get much playing time during his first two NBA seasons behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. So how would you describe his game, and where did he most develop (or not develop) behind the scenes?

    James Edwards III: Hukporti is your typical “traditional” center. He runs the floor hard. He goes after loose balls. He attempts to be active defensively. I think he’s improved as a screener from Year 1 to Year 2. It’s really nerdy stuff, but a good screener does positively impact offenses.

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    He isn’t unskilled, but his skills haven’t revealed themselves on the court. He doesn’t really do anything off the dribble. He isn’t a great finesse finisher right now. And while he doesn’t shoot threes, I’ve watched him shoot threes behind the scenes and the shot doesn’t look bad. I could see him trying to add the three-ball to his game with more opportunities and reps.

    GM: Were you surprised Hukporti left the Knicks in free agency? Or did you think there was a chance he would stay given Robinson’s departure?

    JE: I was surprised because I didn’t think other teams would have interest, let alone give him more than the minimum. He didn’t play many significant minutes for New York. He’s going into his third NBA season, but he’s 24. He’s had a couple knee injuries over the last few seasons. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the Knicks wanted to keep him around as the third center, but, yeah, I was surprised he got the deal he did from another team.

    GM: Simply put, is Hukporti ready to be a backup center — and a spot starter when Joel Embiid is injured or resting? He will be competing with Adem Bona for that job.

    JE: To be honest, I don’t think so, not for where the Sixers want to go. If a rebuilding team or a team without championship aspirations this season wanted to see him in that role, that would make more sense.

    Ariel Hukporti (55) will compete for the backup center spot behind Joel Embiid. John McDonnell / AP

    Philadelphia giving him 10-plus minutes a night … I just haven’t seen enough from him to believe that he can immediately be a reliable backup option every single night. I’m not saying that he can’t do it, but I haven’t really seen anything to suggest that he can right now. I’m rooting for him because he’s a good guy and works hard. I hope I’m wrong.

    GM: Despite the sparse playing time, what do you think Hukporti most gained/learned (on or off the floor) from being immersed in the Knicks’ championship run?

    JE: He got to be around great players and [learned] what makes them tick, how they work. He learned about standards. Hukporti played for two disciplined coaches in Tom Thibodeau and Mike Brown, both of whom had high standards.

    I also think it helps that all Hukporti knows at the NBA level is winning, which can’t be said for many Knicks draft picks between the late 1970s and today. At the very least, he’s been around a positive program and understands the inner workings of winning.

    GM: How would you describe Hukporti as a teammate and locker-room presence?

    JE: Great guy. His teammates — both veterans and youngsters — loved him, and so did his coaches. He’s not afraid to show his personality, and that was in New York where the franchise pushes players not to show their personalities. Funny guy, too. I never had a bad interaction with Hukporti and I don’t know anyone who did.

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