At st Sixers‘ media day on Monday, extra agent LeBron James said he wasn’t sure if Philadelphia would be the last stop in his 24-year career, per Kelly Ico of Yahoo Sports (Link to video on Twitter).
“I am not going to talk about the future now; I would be doing myself a disservice” said James (story via Joe Vardon of The Athletic). “I just live in the moment, especially knowing where I am in my career. When I try to focus on what my future looks like, I would do myself no favors. Now I’m more in the present, realizing that I’m 24 years old. … I just like to be in the moment and we’ll see what happens.”
James, 41, signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract with the 76ers in late July. He took a few weeks to decide on his next team after telling the Lakers he would not return for a ninth season in Los Angeles.
When asked about his initial impressions of the organization, James said he felt:“everyone is on the same page” in terms of the team’s direction and doing everything they can to win (Twitter video links by Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer). However, he expects to take some time to develop chemistry with his new teammates.
“In order to be great, we need things that are not comfortable” James said, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (Link to video on Twitter). “We should be comfortable when we are uncomfortable. This is the best way to speed up getting big. You have to love what you are uncomfortable doing.
“If we do that, we can be a great team. If we don’t do that, then we’re going to be like, ‘Oh man, on paper this was a great team, we had a lot of great talent and we lost in the second round (of the playoffs).’ I don’t want to do that. I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round, I know that for sure. So, you have to work, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Here are some more highlights from James’ media session:
- Asked about the game with Joel EmbiidJames called the former MVP “one of the most talented” players in the world, per Sports Radio WIP’s Dave Uram (Link to video on Twitter). “Obviously, we all know it’s all about health for him. … I’ve seen him work hard on his body, work hard on his game, work hard on his mental (health) this offseason. … Me being the elder statesman on the team, a guy who’s been through a lot, I can give him resources and give him everything he needs on a daily basis to make him feel more comfortable. where he is and where we are as a team, both on and off the court, I’m definitely in his corner and I can’t wait to be on the court with him again like we were in 2024 during the Olympics.”
- For his part, Embiid said he feels “pretty good” and that he wants to “play as much as possible,” though he admitted there is a plan to try to keep him available when the postseason rolls around in April (Link to video on Twitter via Hein). Embiid also joked that he had no part in James’ decision to join the 76ers. “I didn’t talk to him, I didn’t recruit him” Embiid said with a smile.
- James said ESPN’s Dave McMenamin he will split his time between New York and Philadelphia, saying he has “multiple residences.” The NBA’s all-time leading scorer also confirmed that the last five teams he planned to sign with were Philadelphia, Cleveland, Golden State, Miami and Minnesota, but his original plan was to sign with Nix — until they won the championship. “I had a vision of playing at (Madison Square) Garden and finishing my career at the Gardensaid James.One of the best places I’ve ever played. … But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it. You wouldn’t let me put it down at all. But a lot of respect for the Knicks, obviously. Incredible team, incredible players. Scream Jalen Brunson. I love this guy, he is incredible. But, yeah, I’m happy where I’m at and I’m looking forward to it.”
