LeBron James' first day as a Philadelphia 76ers player allowed to know more details about the process that ended with the NBA star in Philadelphia.
During the Media Day, the 41-year-old explained that he had a group of teams that interested him when he began to define his future after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
James said he could even see part of that list on a slide of his agent, Rich Paul, during an appearance on his podcast.
“I had a list of five teams that interested me.I saw my agent on his podcast and I saw his pizzarra.I love him very much.I had his pizzarra and there was a group of teams that interested me,” he said.
Philadelphia ended up imposing between those alternatives and James explained that there were several elements that were taking importance during the process.
admin’s pov ? pic.twitter.com/lW0YBd7zvX
One of them was Tyrese Maxey, with whom James has had a close relationship for several years. The new Sixers player explained that he spoke repeatedly with the base to know his perspective on the team and on the possibility of sharing suit.
“I also have a really good relationship with Tyrese (Maxey). We talked a lot and I asked him a lot, not only about how he sees the course of his career, how he sees the franchise here and how much he believes in it, but also about how he would see me fit if I came here.”
James also wanted to know how he could affect his arrival to the dynamics of a team that would have several figures with protagonism.
“Because I understand my personality and everything that comes with it. Sometimes it can be negative. I understand that maybe some people can’t handle what I can contribute. I just asked him all the questions I could ask, and it wasn’t a single conversation.”
After analyzing the different options, the link with Maxey ended up having a special weight.
“But I believe in our relationship and, when I analyzed many of the teams and franchises I could play in, he was one of the main factors in making my decision,” he added.
The relationship between the two dates back to 2020, when Maxey was preparing for the NBA Draft and began to match James in training.
TYRESE MAXEY.LEBRON JAMES.TEAMMATES.? @sixers Media Day pic.twitter.com/NjKuHz0tv8
James' ambition with the Philadelphia 76ers became clear during his first official appearance. The player recognized that his goal is not simply to be part of a talented team, but to compete for the championship.
“To be great, we have to be delighted in doing things that make us uncomfortable. This is how things go faster. If we do it, we will be a great team. If we don’t do it, it will be said that we were a great team and that we lost in the second round. I don’t want to lose in the second round. I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” he said.
LeBron James about why he signed with Philadelphia Sixers: "I didn't leave my family to be eliminated in the second round of the Play Offs" pic.twitter.com/4U7ctifDXR
The requirement also reflects what you expect from a team built to compete at the top of the NBA. James arrives in Philadelphia after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and with the intention of extending a career that already adds more than two decades.
The media day also left one of James' most characteristic moments.At the start of his press conference, he removed the card carrying his name from the table.
“I think you already know who I am,” he joked.
"You guys know who I am, right?"LeBron James started his Sixers presser by taking his name tag and removing it from the podium ?(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/WM1q9eiMwR https://t.co/KDOVM2YMRn
Shortly afterwards, he explained how he understands his role within the pitch and why he considers that he can still adapt to different needs of a team.
“The luxury of my way of playing is that I can do anything, literally anything,” James said.
That versatility will be one of the elements that Philadelphia will try to take advantage of during a season in which the veteran arrives accompanied by several figures and with a goal he himself made clear: to prevent the project from ending before time in the playoffs.
A HISTORIC YEAR 24 IN PHILLY FOR KING JAMES ? https://t.co/paJZb8rYxT pic.twitter.com/zkKLB9ZHO1
