Alright, so the Sixers’ new Big 5, with LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, all hit the court together for the first time against the Nets. And listen, there’s a ton to be hyped about. The squad showed some serious flashes of dominance, especially their pace, offensive progression, and off-ball movements. This isn’t just a regular preseason run, this is our first real look at what this group can do.
Jaylen Brown Kicks Things Off Right
Jaylen Brown, man, he’s just continuing his strong preseason. He absolutely tallied 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting against the Nets. After a bit of a slow start, he just took over in the early second half, spreading the basketball around like a pro. The dude earned Bell Ringer honors in the first game, and after seeing him step up like that tonight, it makes total sense. He’s showing why he’s one of the stars to watch.
LeBron’s Vision and Perfect From the Line
LeBron James might’ve only played 18 minutes, but he was in absolute control for every single one of them. He finished with 10 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal. The man was finding open Sixers in transition on what felt like every possession for the first six minutes. His only field goal was an early post-up finish over Drake Powell and Mo Wagner, but he went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line, converting drives into points. You want to talk about court vision? This is going to seriously elevate Maxey, Edgecombe, and Brown’s games. Yeah, he finished with eight turnovers, which is a focal point, but if Embiid can get more comfortable before the regular season, that vision is going to be unstoppable.
Maxey’s Speed and the Early Rhythm
Tyrese Maxey just looks incredibly fast out there. He showcased that speed on a nasty baseline dunk over Egor Demin, and man, it was a highlight. Maxey dropped 14 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, adding 2 assists and 2 rebounds. He was in a rhythm early, hitting his first three off a James assist and his second running in transition from a return pass by VJ Edgecombe. This dude is quick and he’s finding his spots.
What’s next for this team? We’ve seen the potential from the Big 5, and the biggest question now is how Joel Embiid integrates into this offense and looks comfortable before the regular season officially tips off. This is just the beginning for this super team, and fans should be buzzing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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