James appeared with Philadelphia for the first time at Monday’s media day, as the new-look 76ers prepare for camp and an October opener in New York.
James begins his Philadelphia chapter
PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James appeared publicly in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey at the team’s media day on Monday, September 28, after his move from the Los Angeles Lakers became official in July. It was his first media appearance as a Sixer ahead of what Reuters reports will be his record-extending 24th NBA season.
James said he had considered several teams and discussed Philadelphia’s direction with guard Tyrese Maxey before joining, Reuters reported. The 76ers also added Jaylen Brown from Boston during the offseason, giving James a new group that includes Maxey and Joel Embiid. Those confirmed roster changes have raised interest in how Philadelphia will use its players together, but media day cannot establish what the team’s regular-season rotation or results will be.
What changed for the 76ers
The NBA confirmed James’ signing in July. Monday’s appearance marked the first public look at him with Philadelphia as the team moves from offseason planning into camp. The league’s September 29 media roundup placed James and Brown among the major new combinations shown at media day.
Reuters reported that James discussed Embiid’s health and his own goal of helping the franchise compete for a championship. Those are statements of intent, not evidence of how the season will finish. Camp and preseason games will offer the first on-court indications of how the new roster works together.
Dates ahead
The NBA’s published calendar lists September 29 as the date most training camps open and October 3 as the start of preseason games. Opening-day rosters are due October 19. Philadelphia is scheduled to visit the New York Knicks on October 20 at 7 p.m. Eastern for its regular-season opener, according to the league. Schedules and availability can change, so the official NBA calendar remains the best source before game day.
For readers looking ahead to the postseason, our NBA play-in tournament guide explains how teams near the playoff cutoff can qualify.
Sources
Featured image: indoor basketball court photographed by Fulvio Ambrosanio, via Unsplash. It is illustrative and does not show the 76ers or their media day.