LeBron Reveals The Reason He Joined The Sixers

 On LeBron's latest episode of Mind the Game with Steve Nash, the 41-year-old all-time scoring leader finally unpacked the decision that stunned much of the NBA this summer. After eight seasons in Los Angeles, James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia in July, taking a massive pay cut to chase a fifth title in a city that hasn’t won one since 1983.

He could have gone back to Cleveland, returned to Miami, or joined Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State. Instead, he chose the Sixers. Here is what he said.

The Maxey relationship came first

James opened the “Why Philly?” segment by going straight to the point guard who shares his agent, Rich Paul.

“First of all, my relationship with Tyrese Maxey goes beyond the court,” James said. “When I mentioned him in the past on the podcast, Philly was not even a question. This was way before the JB trade as well.”

He described Maxey as rare: “I just love everything about Tyrese Maxey, man. Every day you get the same person. That is very rare in sports and, obviously, super rare in life.” Maxey used to play video games with James’ sons Bronny and Bryce when Maxey was 19. After James told the Lakers he would not return, Maxey was one of the first people to call.

“Calling me, like, ‘Yo, what’re we doing? Yo! What’s up, OG!? What’s up, old head!? Come on down here, man! We could use you down here!’” James recalled. He said he often ignores recruiting calls so he won’t be swayed. Maxey is the exception. “He’s just a great person that I can’t not talk to him.”

James later added that Maxey has not changed from the day he was drafted: same person, now a perennial All-Star 

The Jaylen Brown Trade Changed The Picture

The second piece, James said, was Philadelphia’s stunning acquisition of Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.

“I thought the JB trade, too, was another piece that I don’t think anybody saw coming,” he said. “I think people saw something was going to happen there, but I don’t think anybody thought it would be Philly that would be part of that trade package.”

He praised Brown’s two-way game and basketball IQ, then addressed the “misunderstood” label that has followed Brown. “Any time someone moves to their own beat, it makes someone uncomfortable,” James said. “He has his own voice… When it becomes misunderstood, then it becomes intimidating.” He and Brown have worked out together several times this offseason. Both, along with new teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, have “been through the foxhole” of a championship run.

A Ring For Embiid

James saved the biggest basketball reason for last.

“One of the most important, to be honest, is the Big Fella,” he said of Joel Embiid. “He’s done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. I want to try to help him get that first one.”

He listed Embiid’s resume, MVP, gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoe, family, money, and then the weight of the city. “He has a city on his back. He’s been The Process, you know, for what, 10 years, 12 years, or however long he’s been there. I think it’s time now that we dig even deeper into the process, and I hope I can be that final little piece that can help him get over the hump.”

James also acknowledged Embiid’s health struggles as one of the most disappointing parts of a great career and said he wants to help Embiid see the day-to-day championship process differently.

Check out the full episode below.