LeBron James’ stint with the Philadelphia 76ers is off to the perfect start. He has been credited for embracing the new challenge.
The Philadelphia 76ers are 2-0 to start the NBA season, beginning with statement wins over the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, the two teams who competed in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
The win over the Cavaliers featured a 29-point comeback, the biggest in LeBron James‘ incredible career.
Speaking to ESPN, LeBron James’ former Cavaliers teammate Iman Shumpert says he has noticed a change in the superstar’s approach already, in comparison to his spell with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Shumpert says James is adopting a grittier approach to his preparation and his game, compared to a flashier style with the Lakers – and claims there is a reason for this.
He said: “I want to give a shout out to LeBron James for understanding the professionalism of saying ‘I’m on a new team with a new city and I’m going to embody that city.’
“You saw him play for the Showtime Lakers. It was real flashy, a [laughter] lot of looking in the camera. You saw him playing [at] Philly. You got to see the grittiness. Look at the shoulder shrug. Everything was about not having a smile. Everything was hard nose.
“Everything was hard to get in the paint. They’re driving the ball. They’re defending scrappy. They’re embodying what Philadelphia is.”
LeBron James spent eight years in LA, but prior to this he played his entire career in the Eastern Conference, and knows the teams and cities very well. Nothing is a surprise to him, and it’s no surprise to see him adapt as required.
Next challenges for the 76ers
The 76ers are off to the perfect start, but there are still 80 games remaining in the regular season, before the challenge of the playoffs begin. What we have learned so far is that if the Sixers are healthy, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
James is only a bit-part player on this team, supporting Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, but he is still proving to be a big contributor. He is averaging 15.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game across his first two games.
Upcoming is a straightforward game against the 0-2 Milwaukee Bucks, but this will also be a test to see how the Sixers play when they are expected to win.
They then face tougher challenges against the Pistons then the Pacers, before doing battle with the Knicks again in the NBA Cup.
Discussion about this post