LeBron James is now the oldest active player in the league, and probably, the most decorated active player in the NBA as well. Yet his work ethic and his competitive mindset stand above many. In his 21st NBA season, LeBron James has been determined to remain above his fellow stars by breaking and setting records for others to chase after.
Recently, a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the LA Lakers presented LeBron the opportunity to improve his stats against Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey-led 76ers, albeit to no avail. After the game, Maxey who starred in the matchup shared an intriguing story involving King James.
Tyrese Maxey shares hilarious LeBron James story
Tyrese Maxey played a key role in the 76ers’ impressive 44-point victory over LeBron James and the Lakers, showcasing his continued breakout season. Post-game, Maxey shared insights into his relationship with LeBron, recounting a humorous workout tale where King James was determined not to let Maxey beat him to the gym.
Maxey revealed that LeBron James has been meeting him in the gym past 05:30 when the gym time is usually 06:00. So, on a particular day, he met LeBron in the gym earlier than usual to get there first, but apparently, the NBA legend was there since 05:00.
“When I walked in, he was in a full sweat. I said, ‘What are you doing?’ He was like, ‘I can’t let you beat me to the gym.’ And I was like, ‘You’re insane.’ “
Despite their friendly competition, Maxey delivered an outstanding performance on the court, leading the game with 31 points and eight assists. He expressed admiration for King James’ relentless work ethic, emphasizing the NBA legend’s drive even in his 21st season.
“The numbers, everything speaks for itself. He’s also someone who’s really good at basketball. His work ethic now, (in Year 21), hasn’t slowed down. He’s still trying to beat me to the gym.”
“He has four MVPs and Finals MVPs, his accolades are through the roof. His want and drive to beat a 22-year-old to the gym who hasn’t done anything, man, hats off to him,” Tyrese Maxey added.
Maxey’s stellar performances this season suggest All-Star potential, seamlessly filling the void left by James Harden’s departure. With impressive averages of 26.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists this season, he is positioning himself as a crucial asset for the 76ers’ future. Speculations about Joel Embiid’s future aside, Maxey’s anticipated contract extension could solidify his role in keeping Embiid in Philly.
Tyrese Maxey stays undefeated against LeBron James
Ever since Maxey entered the NBA in the 2020 Draft, he has quietly built an unexpected winning streak in the league. Having faced LeBron James three times in his career, Maxey has yet to taste defeat against the basketball icon.
While the streak is still in its early stages, it’s undoubtedly impressive to boast an undefeated record against King James at any point in one’s career. The record could have been even more remarkable, but Maxey missed a few matchups in previous seasons.
In his encounters with LeBron, Maxey maintains an average of 17.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while LeBron puts up averages of 29.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Interestingly, LeBron’s record against the 76ers since joining the Lakers is notably poor, standing at 1-6 against this formidable Eastern Conference team. It seems that the 76ers present a challenging matchup for the Lakers during the LeBron era, owing to the fact that the Sixers have consistently been among the top teams in the NBA.
The 76ers’ title contender status appears to be enduring, with Joel Embiid maintaining an MVP-level performance and Maxey emerging as one of the league’s top-scoring guards. This dynamic duo has the potential to surpass the Embiid-Harden partnership from the previous season and a half.
Additionally, the 76ers are strategically positioned to strengthen their roster through potential trades involving assets acquired in the Harden deal. Maxey is poised to be a torchbearer for the future, aspiring to follow in LeBron’s footsteps with a championship for his team.
