LeBron James says the pull of Philadelphia came down to more than just one name, but Tyrese Maxey and a surprise Jaylen Brown addition were the pieces that pushed the 76ers over the Miami Heat.
On a recent episode of the Mind the Game podcast with Hall of Famer Steve Nash, James explained why Philly won out after the Heat made a push for him in free agency this summer.
Maxey was the first part of the equation. Coming off a breakout season, the 22-year-old averaged 28.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting, along with 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 70 games, all starts. He also led the league with a 38-minute average and earned All-NBA Third Team honors.
“I just love everything about Tyrese Maxey,” James said. “Every day, you get the same person, which is very rare in sports and life. 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 would call my line.”
James also pointed to the shocker that changed the Sixers’ outlook: the Jaylen Brown acquisition. He said he had no clue it was coming when he signed.
“People saw that something was going to happen there, but I don’t think anybody thought Philly would be a part of that,” James added.
Brown arrives after an MVP-caliber season of his own, putting up 28.7 points on 47.7 percent shooting with 6.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and a steal across 71 games, all starts. The former Finals MVP spent the last 10 seasons with the Boston Celtics and had become a franchise centerpiece. His reported involvement in Giannis Antetokounmpo negotiations led to a messy split that left Celtics fans frustrated, especially since Paul George was the main piece coming back to Philly in the deal.
James also made clear he wants to help Joel Embiid finally clear the hurdle that has lingered over his career. Embiid is the only player in league history to win an MVP without reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, and injuries have been the biggest issue. Over the last three seasons, he has played fewer than 40 games each year.
Philadelphia has not reached the Eastern Conference Finals since the 2000-01 season, when Allen Iverson was still in the league. James gives the Sixers a real shot to end that drought, even if Miami remains standing in the way.
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