At 41 years old, after the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped, LeBron James felt his body responded “very well” to stepping away from basketball for a month and a half. Even better, his mind was sharper than the previous summer. This isn’t just an aging superstar winding down, folks; this is a 22-time NBA All-Star gearing up for an NBA-record-extending 24th season, and he’s bringing that intensity to Philadelphia with one goal in mind: a championship.
The “Competitive Thing” With Father Time Is Real
James made it crystal clear on his “Mind the Game” podcast with co-host Steve Nash: he’s not done. “If you still have an opportunity to do what you love, then why just say I’m done?” he explained. This isn’t just about playing, it’s a deeply personal quest. He’s “in love with the pursuit of defying the odds,” and he’s got a “real basketball competitive thing” going with Father Time himself. That kind of passion at this stage of a career? It’s wild, and it shows you everything about the commitment LeBron is bringing to his process.
Philly’s New Super Team Is All About Joel Embiid
LeBron’s move to the Sixers wasn’t just some random decision; it was calculated. His relationship with guard Tyrese Maxey was key, as was Philadelphia acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics. But the biggest, most important factor in James heading to the City of Brotherly Love? “The big fella,” Joel Embiid. James put it bluntly: “He’s done everything in our league. The only thing he has not done [is] win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one.” Embiid, at 32, has a stacked resume: league MVP, a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, a beautiful family, and he carries the city on his back. He’s been “The Process” for over a decade, but for all his accolades, that championship ring is still missing.
Can “The Process” End the Playoff Drought?
The challenge for this new Sixers squad, with Embiid, is health and getting past the Eastern Conference semifinals, a hurdle Embiid has never cleared. The Sixers franchise itself hasn’t seen the conference finals since Allen Iverson led them in 2001. Embiid has played fewer than 40 regular-season games each of the past three seasons, which is a massive red flag. However, when he is on the court, his offensive impact is undeniable. Last season, in a valiant first-round playoff series versus the Celtics, he put up 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, even leading the Sixers to their first-ever 3-1 postseason comeback against Boston. LeBron believes his “day-to-day process” can rub off on Embiid and help increase his durability for the 2026-27 season. With Jaylen Brown, who LeBron says is “misunderstood,” also now in Philly, this team is built to make some serious noise. The question is, can they stay healthy enough to finish the job? LeBron is betting on it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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