NEW YORK -- As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for a much-anticipated 2026-27 season, they will be relying on the likes of new additions such as LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to push them over the hump. Those three have combined for seven championships and have seen a lot in their respective careers.
Caldwell-Pope is somebody who is expected to provide a 3-and-D aspect for this group and his championship experience will go a long way for this group. His first championship came while playing next to James in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, and as the two reunite in Philadelphia, Caldwell-Pope was asked if James' game is any different now than what it was in LA just five years ago.
"I think it never changes," Caldwell-Pope
shrugged about James. "For him, it's just more just being that team leader, slowing the pace down. Also, just getting everybody in the same position. I think he's still being LeBron, just doing it in a different way."
While James is set to enter his 24th season in the league, and his first with the Sixers, on the other end of the spectrum is second-year guard VJ Edgecombe. The No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft, and 21 years old, Edgecombe is hoping to have a successful career as James has had in this league. His work has impressed Caldwell-Pope as he gave his thoughts on his new young teammate.
"He's very energetic," Caldwell-Pope said of Edgecombe. "For me, he always seems happy. A game that he enjoys playing. And he also showed every night--I love his competitiveness. And I think he'll be able to show it tonight with the work he's been putting in."
The Sixers will look to grow as a team starting with their opening night matchup against the New York Knicks on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: New Sixers addition gives thoughts on both LeBron James, VJ Edgecombe
