LeBron James takes just one shot — officially — in 10-point, five-assist Sixers preseason debut
James initiated a Sixers offense that was focused on getting out in transition.
NEW YORK — Even in Brooklyn, there was a loud crowd pop when LeBron James was introduced as part of the 76ers starting lineup. For the first time, James and the rest of the Sixers’ starting five — Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe — took the floor together.
While it’s only preseason, Thursday’s 114-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets offered the first preview of what the starting group may look like.
There was plenty of offensive firepower, and the game offered a glimpse of how the Sixers may utilize James as an initiator of the offense, both in transition and the halfcourt.
» READ MORE: After Ariel Hukporti’s Achilles injury, how will the Sixers fill the center minutes behind Joel Embiid?
LeBron, the connector
Through the first five minutes of the game, James played facilitator for the offense. He was the only member of the starting lineup who didn’t attempt a shot before the first media timeout at the 6 minute, 37 second mark, but he had three assists in a 15-15 tie. The Sixers were 7-for-8 to open the night. During the first quarter, James didn’t register an official shot attempt, but he did get to the free-throw line for four points.
His five first-quarter assists included hitting Edgecombe in transition for a layup, then he set up an Edgecombe dunk in the halfcourt. He found Dean Wade in the right corner from the top of the key for a three and also hit Maxey for a three. He also set up Jabari Walker for a bucket in the post.
The Sixers shot 12-for-19 in the first quarter and the score was tied 33-33. James’ first and only field goal of the night came at the 6:52 mark of the second quarter. He went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line for 10 points. He was done at halftime.
Emphasis on transition
The Sixers’ starting lineup features four of the league’s top scorers in transition from a season ago, so it makes sense that they would want to get out on the break, something they were intentional about on Thursday. From the opening possession, the Sixers were looking for hit-ahead passes, even after a Nets made shot. They found success in getting Edgecombe and Maxey some early buckets, with Maxey scoring 10 of his 14 total points in the first quarter.
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The priority to play with pace, even in the halfcourt, with all the weapons the Sixers have, led to another positive on the night — the team’s free-throw rate. The Sixers were 22-for-24 in the first half from the line, which, if that holds into the regular season, would put them on pace to be first in that statistic by a mile.
Turnovers need cleaning up
On the stat sheet, the number jumped out for the bad was 14 first-half turnovers while the starters played. That’s one byproduct of the pace the Sixers had. Embiid had seven of those in what was a frustrating half contending with Mo Wagner for him. He finished with eight turnovers on the night. At one point, Embiid drew an offensive foul in frustration on a moving screen and picked up a technical afterward as a carryover from what he thought was a Wagner foul a few possessions prior. Embiid finished with six points, three rebounds and three assists.
Rotation notes
Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were the first substitutions of the night for James and Edgecombe, who played a lot of their minutes together. Jabari Walker got some of the backup center minutes behind Embiid with Ariel Hukporti (torn Achilles) out of the season and Adem Bona still recovering from a foot injury. Rookie point guard Labaron Philon Jr. got some run in the first half with the main contributors and bench players. He had six points.
After an exciting Sixers offseason highlighted by the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, join Inquirer beat writers Gina Mizell and Chris Hine for a preview of the season. Watch here.
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