LeBron James said it “is going to take some time” for his new team-mates to gel after the Philadelphia 76ers lost his debut for the club, a 114-108 pre-season defeat by the Brooklyn Nets.
The 41-year-old American joined the 76ers in July on what he says will be his final contract in the NBA, closing out a glittering career. He is entering a record-extending 24th NBA season as the league’s all-time leading points scorer.
Debut performance
James scored 10 points and added four rebounds, five assists and a steal in 18 first-half minutes. He played alongside new team-mates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, with Brown leading the scoring with 18 points.
“We’re still trying to put each other in the position to be successful and complement each other the best way we can on the floor,” James said. “But it’s going to take some time.”
He added: “Tonight was a good sample size for us to build on.”
A decorated career
James has won titles with every NBA side he has played for. He claimed two championships with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise he left this summer after eight years.
He has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player four times, all between 2009 and 2013, and has been an NBA All-Star for the last 22 seasons running.
Goal with Philadelphia
James is aiming to help the 76ers win their first NBA title in 43 years.