The LeBron James era in Philadelphia is reportedly set to officially begin on Thursday night. The 76ers face the Brooklyn Nets on the road Thursday in a preseason game at the Barclays Center and according to a report by ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin, James is expected to make his Philadelphia debut in the contest. Not only is the four-time NBA MVP planning to play, but he'll be joined by the rest of the Sixers' projected starting five for the first time.
James, former MVP center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey all sat out Philadelphia's preseason opener against the New York Knicks on Monday. Trade acquisition Jaylen Brown and second-year guard VJ Edgecombe both started Monday's contest and helped lead the 76ers over the Knicks, 120-97, with a combined 34 points. Though Embiid and James didn't suit up on Monday, their names made headlines during the game.
ESPN NBA broadcaster Mike Breen said during Monday's exhibition that Embiid recently arrived to a Sixers practice "a couple minutes late" and James "let him hear it." The 41-year-old former No. 1 overall pick emphatically denied the story and head coach Nick Nurse brushed off the rumors on Wednesday as well. Breen apologized on Wednesday and said he was "so disappointed how the story was interpreted." Philadelphia will have two more preseason contests following Thursday's showdown versus Brooklyn. King James and the rest of the 76ers will face the rival Boston Celtics on Saturday in Beantown and host Jayson Tatum and company on Oct. 16.
Philadelphia hasn't won a championship since 1983 and hasn't made the NBA Finals since 2001. With James and Brown joining an already loaded starting group, expectations are as high as ever for the 76ers. The Sixers begin the regular season Oct. 20 on the road against the defending-champion New York Knicks.
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