The addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a 76ers roster that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe has raised an important question in Philadelphia: Who is going to be on the ball?
James made his preseason debut with the 76ers on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets alongside each of his aforementioned teammates. It provided a first glimpse of an answer.
Advertisement
The ball went through James on Thursday and with great effect. James played primarily in his power forward role, and Philadelphia’s offense was well-oiled from the start in an eventual 114-108 loss.
James contributed to two of Philadelphia’s first three field goals, including a nice no-look dish in the lane to find Edgecombe on the baseline under the bucket.
Philadelphia’s second basket started with an assist from James.
James found Joel Embiid with a bounce pass from the pick-and-roll on the wing, and Embiid drove to throw it to Brown’s hope for an easy dunk.
Philadelphia’s ball movement was crisp and the 76ers didn’t look like a unit playing together for the first time as they shot 7 of 8 from the field to start the game.
Advertisement
James postpones, but finds his points
James just facilitated and didn’t make his first field goal attempt until 4:54 remained in the first quarter. It was a drive to the bucket that resulted in a foul and two free throws.
He finished the first quarter with four points and five assists, with all of his points coming at the free throw line. The 76ers held a 33-32 lead as Maxey carried the scoring load with 10 points.
James didn’t register his first official field goal attempt in the box score until a reverse layup on a beautiful pass from Maxey over the Brooklyn defense. James converted for his fifth and sixth points with 6:52 left in the second quarter.
At halftime, the 76ers held a 58-56 lead. James finished with 10 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 1 steal in 18 minutes. Eight of his points came at the line while shooting 1-for-1 from the field, and he sat out for the second half.
Advertisement
Maxey takes the lead, Embiid gives it up
Maxey led the 76ers with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field. Embiid had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 7 turnovers, and Brown had 8 points on 2-of-4 shooting from the floor.
As a team, the 76ers shot 16 of 28 (57%) with assists on 12 of their 16 field goals. Ball control was the biggest challenge as they committed 14 turnovers before the break.
Brown led all 76ers with 18 points as he played well in the third quarter.
Of course, this was a preseason exhibition and by no means a blueprint for Philadelphia’s offense this season. But it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if this is how the 76ers intend to operate frequently once the games actually count.
Gn sports
