Preseason certainly hasn't reflected the Philadelphia 76ers' championship aspirations, but head coach Nick Nurse has quickly solved some of the team's big conundrums. In the Sixers' 125-120 defeat to the Boston Celtics, the coaching staff clearly identified a primary playmaker role that will amplify LeBron James' talents on this roster.
LeBron is going to orchestrate the Sixers' offense
LeBron James has worn many hats during his career. A devastating scorer, a defensive anchor, and, most relevant to the 76ers, a leading ball-facilitator. LeBron is arguably the greatest player to grace the NBA because he can be consistently brilliant in several areas. Right now, Philadelphia needs the version of the 22-time All-Star who can lead the team's offense into battle.
Despite the defeat in Boston, Sixers fans should be encouraged that Nick Nurse already has a clear blueprint for the team to follow. Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey all took more shots than James, who only recorded 9 field-goal attempts. However, the 41-year-old's 7 assists in around 24 minutes of action highlighted that his role is to create rather than shoot the ball.
His playmaking ability shouldn't ever be up for debate. Throughout his career, LeBron has averaged 7.4 assists per game. The real question is: can a player heading into his 24th season park his ego and allow other stars around him to be the team's prominent scorers? Recent history shows he can.
Final year in LA proves LeBron can take a backseat
As long as he remains in the NBA, there will always be noise around LeBron James' mentality. A narrative has been spun throughout his career that any franchise he lands at must be ready for 'The LeBron Show'. While this might have been true a few years ago, his final year with the Los Angeles Lakers proved he is willing to put the team before himself.
Luka Doncic's arrival signaled the end of LeBron's time as the Lakers' franchise cornerstone. He averaged 20.9 points on 15.3 shots per game -- the lowest numbers of James' long career. Nevertheless, this reduced offensive usage didn't prevent LeBron from chalking up 7.2 assists per game.
It's clear that the four-time NBA champion is self-aware. LeBron realizes that he is in the twilight of his career, and to add another ring to his resume, he can't be the highest scorer on the roster. But he can still contribute in a way that truly benefits the team. Philadelphia hasn't had a natural playmaker since the James Harden era; LeBron's vision is exactly what the franchise needs right now.
Preseason has proven that Nick Nurse anointed LeBron James as the Philadelphia 76ers' leading playmaker. The superstar is averaging fewer shots than his teammates, but they are already benefiting from his creativity. Despite the results, the Sixers' roster is already more balanced and talented than it was 12 months ago.
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