LeBron James didn’t need to spell it out on “Mind the Game” for the point to land: the Knicks are the team the 76ers have to worry about most.
That much was clear from the way James and Steve Nash talked through New York’s roster and what made it work. They pointed to the Knicks’ decision to let Mitchell Robinson walk to the Celtics in free agency, then highlighted the additions of Andre Drummond and Bruce Brown, who is on an Exhibit 9 deal. Those are the kinds of players that fit a team built on toughness, physicality, and a no-frills identity.
The larger message was just as blunt. The Knicks are built to stay in the picture, and James said they’d be right back where they were because of the kind of players they have. He didn’t have to say much more than that.
Jalen Brunson has been the face of that tone. He didn’t smile until New York won the championship, and he didn’t want to hold the Larry O’Brien trophy in NBA Finals promo. He stayed locked in until the end, and that kind of business-first approach has carried over to the rest of the roster.
There’s a reason so many of these Knicks fit the same mold. Brunson arrived as a second-round pick the Mavericks let go, and he has been vastly underrated in New York.
Karl-Anthony Towns was viewed by many as someone who couldn’t win a championship. Josh Hart was shuffled around at consecutive trade deadlines before finding a home in New York.
Mikal Bridges was widely doubted for the first-round picks the front office sent out to get him.
Even Landry Shamet fits into that picture. The Knicks have let their play speak from the top of the roster to the bottom, and instead of basking in what they already accomplished, they’re still chasing more.
That said, Philadelphia has every reason to believe it can push back.
The Sixers had the league’s most transformative offseason, landing James on a two-year, $8 million deal and trading Paul George for Brown. Dean Wade and Labaron Philon Jr. were part of the rest of the mix, too.
On paper, Philadelphia can roll out the NBA’s most talented starting five. The real question is how long it can stay healthy and how much sacrifice the group is willing to make to build the chemistry that makes it work.
The Knicks have had Philadelphia’s number in the playoffs recently, but that doesn’t mean they should feel comfortable. If the Sixers can match the Knicks’ buy-in, they can overtake New York in the East and put themselves in position to handle whoever comes out of the West.
And if James is the one helping them chase that goal, Philadelphia could hardly ask for a better kind of star. His value isn’t just in what he does on the floor. It’s in the fact that, with nearly every accomplishment already on his résumé, he still wants to fight for a fifth championship in Philly.
That’s the kind of presence that changes a room. James doesn’t promise anything.
He just works. And the results usually take care of the rest.
In Other News...
LeBron Is Already Changing Something Big Inside The Sixers
LeBron James has already started leaving a mark inside the 76ers locker room, and for Jabari Walker, the biggest surprise has been how quickly that presence has translated into everyday leadership. After Philadelphias 2026 offseason additions, Walker described James as more than just another big name in the room, pointing to the way he carries himself and the respect he draws from teammates.
Walkers takeaway was simple: James has a different kind of influence. He has played alongside elite stars before, but this one stands out for the way it changes the tone around the team and gives Philadelphia a new voice as it tries to build something meaningful. The full effect of that dynamic is still unfolding, but it is already hard to miss inside the organization. [Read more 🡒]
Labaron Philon Jr. Is Giving The Sixers A Reason To Believe
Labaron Philon Jr. has spent the preseason doing exactly what a young guard is supposed to do when a team is looking for answers: make the ball move, keep the offense organized and show he belongs. The rookie has flashed real playmaking upside, and his recent work included a strong outing with 14 points and 7 assists in 25 minutes, the kind of line that catches attention even in October. For Philadelphia, that matters because the backcourt has been searching for someone who can help steady the second unit and ease some of the creation load that falls so heavily on Tyrese Maxey.
Philons path to minutes was never supposed to be this direct, but the Sixers do not have many natural floor generals on the roster, and that reality can accelerate a players timeline fast. Drafted 22nd overall, he is already making a case that his feel for the game can translate sooner than expected, giving the coaching staff something it badly needs: a reserve option who can bring a little tactical stability when the starters sit. The bigger question now is whether that preseason promise holds once the games start counting for real. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Frontcourt Battle Just Got Murkier Before The Season Opens
The Sixers preseason frontcourt picture has become a little harder to read with Dominick Barlow still sidelined by back soreness and short on chances to build momentum before the games start to matter. He has been limited throughout camp and has yet to appear in a preseason game, which leaves him racing the clock as the exhibition schedule winds down and the regular season approaches.
Barlow is not the only big man whose availability has been in flux, either, which only adds to the uncertainty around Philadelphias depth in the paint. Adem Bona is still working through a foot injury, while Ariel Hukporti has already been hit by an Achilles injury, leaving the Sixers with more questions than answers as they try to sort out the frontcourt rotation. [Read more 🡒]