LeBron James isn’t pretending this is some casual new partnership. After his summer move to Philadelphia, the 41-year-old made it clear that Jaylen Brown is already a major part of why he chose to keep going and suit up for the 76ers.
James said on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast that the two have already been putting in work together and will keep building that connection before opening night.
“I’m gonna spend some time and get an opportunity to be around him even more,” said James on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast. “We’ve worked out three or four times this offseason, and we’ve been in communication.
We’re two of the guys on the team that have been through the foxhole and been through the wringer of what it takes from the moment we step on the court for training camp to the moment we raise that Larry O’Brien Trophy. We know what it takes.
So, just trying to make sure we’re on the same page and have everybody else on the same page, but it’s been nothing but good interaction with JB, and we’re gonna continue that.”
That comfort level makes sense. James has spent years facing Brown in playoff battles, most of them coming in the Celtics-Cavaliers matchups that were tight, physical, and full of big moments. LeBron usually ended up on the winning side, but Brown and Boston made him work for it.
Now the dynamic has flipped. Instead of trying to stop each other, they’re already trying to sync up.
James and Brown have held several private workouts since the move became official, with communication continuing in between. James has done the same kind of thing with other teammates, but this one stands out because Brown brings a complete game and a competitive edge that fits right alongside him.
Brown’s résumé is part of why this pairing matters. He’s spent years in the playoffs with Boston, was in position to chase a title multiple times, and won his first championship in 2024. He’s also spent plenty of regular-season nights matched up with James, often with Brown taking on the LeBron assignment.
That history, along with Brown’s two-way versatility, is what drew James to Philadelphia. The next step is simple enough to say and harder to do: keep building chemistry, get everyone on the same page, and let the two most accomplished players on the roster lead the way. How that pressure gets handled could end up shaping the season.
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