LeBron James finally checked off one box he had never hit before in his NBA career: a start at center.
That first came during the Philadelphia 76ers’ regular-season matchup with the Detroit Pistons, a strange little wrinkle for a player in Year 24 whose résumé already looks like a checklist of things most stars never touch. James has spent his career roaming across the floor, from two-guard in Cleveland to power forward in Miami, to point guard in his second Cleveland stint, and later as the engine of the Lakers’ pick-and-roll game alongside Anthony Davis. But until now, the five spot had been the one position he had never started at.
Coach Nick Nurse made the call with a roster that can cover plenty of ground elsewhere. Tyrese Maxey and V.J.
Edgecombe bring guard play, Jaylen Brown can handle the wing, and the lineup had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at shooting guard and Dean Wade at power forward. That left James as the center in the starting five.
The task is a different kind of grind. Playing the five means dealing with screens, moving without the ball, and banging on the glass. It is not the sort of assignment that usually fits into James’ usual operating mode.
And the opening half against the Pistons showed the adjustment was real. Through 15 minutes, James had five points while shooting 16.7% from the field, 25% from the free-throw line, and 0% from three. Detroit also forced him into three turnovers.
There were a few positives - he did have three assists - but Nurse did not wait long to make a change, putting Adem Bona back at center.
The rebounding gap told the same story. Philadelphia was down 31-19 on the boards and had only three offensive rebounds through nearly two quarters.
Career firsts are supposed to come with some kind of payoff. This one, at least so far, has looked like a reminder of why the Heat, Cavaliers and Lakers never stuck with James at center for long.
In Other News...
Ron Holland Is Giving The Pistons Exactly What This Team Lacks
Ron Hollands night in Philadelphia fit the kind of role the Pistons have been asking him to grow into. With two starters out and Isaiah Joe forced to leave early, Detroit still found a way to steal a road win over the 76ers, and Holland was right in the middle of it with his defense, rebounding and overall activity. He even drew the assignment of checking Jaylen Brown for stretches and handled it well, while also pulling down nine rebounds and adding four assists.
The shot was not falling, but the rest of Hollands line stood out because it spoke to the broader shape of his development. He looked more decisive with the ball and more willing to make the extra play, which matters for a Pistons team that needs toughness and versatility when the rotation gets thin. On a night when Detroit needed someone to do the dirty work, Holland gave them exactly that. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Hot Start Just Put Their Summer Gamble In A New Light
Detroits 3-0 start has given the season an early shine, and it has also made the franchises offseason approach look a lot more practical in real time. Even with Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren unavailable, the Pistons found enough punch to beat Philadelphia, leaning on the kind of internal growth and depth that can sometimes be talked up in July and only proven in October.
Daniss Jenkins was a big part of that against the 76ers, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists while helping steady a lineup that has needed role players to step forward quickly. John Collins has been part of that picture too, as Detroits early success has come less from splashy headlines and more from the sort of contributions that can quietly change the tone around a team. [Read more 🡒]
Paul Reed Is Easing Early Doubts About Detroits Isaiah Stewart Bet
Paul Reed is starting to make the Pistons look a little more comfortable with the frontcourt gamble they made when they moved Isaiah Stewart for draft compensation and handed the backup center job to Reed. Detroit wanted a reserve big who could give the second unit more on offense without sacrificing the rim protection and physicality it values, and Reed has been showing why the front office was willing to make that switch.
In a recent game, Reed stepped into an expanded role because of an injury to a teammate and delivered across the board, helping with points, rebounds and blocks while giving the bench a steadier offensive presence. The sample is still small, but it is the kind of early return Detroit was hoping for when it chose a more versatile fit behind the starters. [Read more 🡒]