LeBron James joined his new Philadelphia 76ers teammates for the first official practices this week, creating a surreal atmosphere in Camden. Players like Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe described the experience of sharing a locker room with the NBA icon as "weird" and exciting.
Tyrese Maxey, who has worked out with James for years, admitted the sight was still jarring. "It's just weird," Maxey said. "To see him here, in Camden, New Jersey, with a Sixers jersey on, it's cool."The generational gap is stark. James debuted in 2003, the same year four current Sixers were born. Rookies Edgecombe and Labron Philon Jr."That was my first time seeing the dude since we were in LA," he said. "So it's like, yeah, damn, that's still Bron at the end of the day." Jabari Walker thought he was prepared but had a similar reaction upon entering the facility. "I thought I was over it," Walker said. "But when I walked in the locker room and saw him, it's like flashes all over again."The Sixers' camp opens as the team finds a rhythm."It didn't change much," Wade explained. "I think you add those big pieces that we did, and it doesn't change anything in the way I work." German center Ariel Hukporti learned of the news while overseas. "I was quite excited about it," Hukporti said. "A lot to learn, a lot of people who've accomplished a lot of things in this team."The focus for every player, from the superstar to the rookies, is now on integration."I'm just more excited to learn from those guys," Edwards said. "They've done it at the highest level, two MVPs." Training camp is the first step in turning that star power into cohesive NBA performance.
