The Philadelphia 76ers have all the talent in the world, but they have a pretty big challenge in front of them: Feeding all the mouths they have on board. LeBron James is one of them, but he could also help solve the problem, as his playmaking is still elite. And with that, he can help Jaylen Brown get more comfortable off the ball.
Last season, Brown spent most of his time on the ball. And when he was off the ball, he wasn’t great. He didn’t move much and wasn’t very impactful. But on the 2024 Boston Celtics, with Kristaps Porzingis, in particular, he was great off the ball. Porzingis and Brown had a great one-two punch. James can help bring that side of him back to the surface.
With James’ playmaking and elite passing leading the way, James should be able to help Brown be much more comfortable (and effective) playing off the ball next season.
LeBron James can help Jaylen Brown thrive off the ball again
For the last two decades, James has been one of the best passers in the league. His ability to set up his teammates is unlike many others’. He’s one of the best playmakers in NBA history, to be honest.
At times throughout the last few years, he’s had to be more of a scorer than a playmaker. That’s what the Los Angeles Lakers have needed from him. But the Sixers will need him to flip the switch back.
With how much talent the 76ers have at the top end of the roster – Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edegecombe – James turning into more of a pass-first guy will be ideal.
By all accounts, this seems to be what the 76ers’ plans are next season. They are going to use James as their primary ball-handler, and he’ll be able to set up the rest of the team on offense.
When Brown and Porzingis played together on the 2024 Celtics – the NBA Champions that season – Brown was able to feed off back cuts. Brown just knew where he needed to be and when.
He would slip screens, fake cuts, and pretend to go to the corner before slipping backdoor. Those are the types of opportunities James can find for him next season in Philly.
After spending almost all of last season as a dominant on-ball threat, Brown is going to have to change the way he plays a bit. At least, he’ll have to diversify things.
James can help him refind the off-ball success he had in 2024 alongside Porzingis.
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