LeBron James has a strong first half for the 76ers in his first appearance with his new team
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NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James looks set to make a big impact on the Philadelphia 76ers, and the NBA’s career scoring leader may not even need to shoot much to do it.
James made his first appearance with his new team Thursday night, getting started on the expected final stop in his career. He did a little bit of everything in the first half of the 76ers’ exhibition game against the Brooklyn Nets.
James, who joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season, had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the first half, helping the 76ers to a 58-56 lead.
The 41-year-old forward was credited with only one shot from the field in 18 minutes, though was fouled four times and made all eight free throws. James didn’t even attempt a shot until he was fouled on a drive to the basket with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. But with Philadelphia’s firepower, he won’t need to look for his offense very much.
The 76ers got a first look at the potent lineup they put together this summer. James and fellow All-Star newcomer Jaylen Brown started with holdovers Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Maxey scored 14 points, the other starters had at least six and the basketball was sharp at times.
The 76ers missed their first shot when James threw a pass low toward Embiid’s feet. The 7-footer caught it awkwardly but was off-balance and shot an airball on a turnaround jumper.
Philadelphia then made its next seven shots, with James finding open men himself or on one possession slipping a pass to Embiid, who moved it to Brown for a dunk.
Coach Nick Nurse said he expected to play his starters about half the game, though Embiid was still on the floor to start the second half with Brown and Edgecombe. Most of them sat out a victory over the New York Knicks in their preseason opener on Monday.
James spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before signing a two-year deal with the 76ers for the league minimum.
The new guy seemed already in charge in his new locker room, turning the music on loud when he returned from a pregame workout to continue getting ready. His blue 76ers uniform sat folded on the floor next to his chair.
The 76ers have two remaining preseason games, both against the Boston Celtics, who traded Brown to Philadelphia shortly before James signed. The Sixers play their season opener on Oct. 20 in New York, where the Knicks will raise the banner to celebrate their NBA championship.
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See AP’s full NBA coverage here