LeBron James is in love with competing vs. Father Time, hopes to help Joel Embiid over the hump in Philly

LeBron James explained on the new episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast that he stayed away from most basketball activities for at least a month and a half following the conclusion of his 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

At 41, he felt like his body responded “very well.” As for his mind? That responded better than it had the previous summer, James told co-host Steve Nash, as shown Friday.

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“I think the only thing that I continued to say to myself was, ‘If you still have an opportunity to do what you love, then why just say I’m done?'” the 22-time NBA All-Star said.

He conveyed that he’s in love with the pursuit of defying the odds.

“It’s this whole Father Time thing that I’ve actually dived into and have a real basketball competitive thing with him,” he said.

James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, is gearing up for his NBA-record-extending 24th season. He re-upped with a continued commitment to his process and, as he illustrated to Nash, a desire to help “The Process” in Philadelphia.

While James’ relationship with 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey played a significant role in him signing with the Sixers, as did Philadelphia acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics, one of the most important factors in his move to Philly was “the big fella,” Joel Embiid.

“He’s done everything in our league. The only thing he has not done [is] win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one,” James said.

“He’s been MVP of our league, has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, bunch of money, beautiful fam. He has everything. He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for, what, 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I mean, I think it’s time now that we dig even deeper into the process, and I hope that I can be that final little piece that can help him get over the hump and have him maybe see it a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career, as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day what it takes to get there.”

Embiid, 32, has spent his entire career with the Sixers. As James referenced, despite Embiid’s legion of…

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Author : Andy Backstrom

Publish date : 2026-09-25 22:26:00

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