New 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey isn’t overly concerned about how LeBron James will fit alongside Philadelphia’s collection of stars.
Gansey told ESPN that James’ ability to adapt has long been one of his greatest strengths.
“LeBron’s a connector. That’s the one thing about him,” Gansey said. “He fits every role you possibly can. He’s gonna elevate everyone in the whole building.”
That includes Joel Embiid, whose fit alongside James has been one of the bigger questions surrounding the Sixers since James signed with Philadelphia in free agency.
Gansey said he went back and watched James and Embiid playing together with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics when Philadelphia emerged as a possible destination.
“Those two played pretty well together,” Gansey said. “We have so many different options. Any given night anyone can be the guy. So I think once we get clicking and get gelling, it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
Not everyone around the NBA is as convinced.
An anonymous assistant coach recently told Mark Medina of Fadeaway World that the James-Embiid combination could be “unstoppable” or “hard to watch,” questioning whether their age and deliberate styles will mesh.
The Sixers clearly see considerably more upside.
Gansey has assembled a roster featuring James, Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, giving Philadelphia no shortage of options as it enters the season clearly among the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
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