LeBron James Backs Jaylen Brown, Says He's 'Misunderstood' Ahead of 1st 76ers Season Together

Ahead of his upcoming debut with the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James gave his thoughts on new teammate Jaylen Brown and the perception people have of him.

When asked by co-host Steve Nash during the latest episode of their Mind the Game podcast on Friday (beginning at the 24:12 mark), James explained why he believes Brown is "misunderstood."

"I just think anytime someone kind of moves to their own beat, it makes people uncomfortable," James said. "He has his own voice. He moves to the sound of his own beat. It makes people uncomfortable because it's not what everyone's accustomed to. When it becomes misunderstood, then it becomes intimidating, and people look at it as 'I don't wanna be around that,' because they feel intimidated by it.

"Am I right? I don't know. I'm gonna spend some time and get an opportunity to be around him even more. We've worked out three or four times this offseason, we've been in communication because we're two of the guys on the team that's been through the foxhole and been through the ringer of what it takes from the moment we step on the court for training camp to the moment when we raise that Larry O'Brien Trophy. We know what it takes. ... It's been nothing but good interaction with JB, and we're gonna continue that."

The Sixers shocked the basketball world during the offseason by acquiring Brown for Paul George and draft picks in a trade with the Boston Celtics. Shortly thereafter, Philly signed arguably the greatest player in NBA history when James inked a contract in free agency.

Beginning at the 19:58 mark of Mind the Game, LeBron explained how the 76ers trading for Brown played a role in his decision to make the leap from the Los Angeles Lakers to Philadelphia.

"The JB trade too, that was another piece that I don't think anybody seen coming," James said. "I think people saw that something was going to happen there, but I don't think anybody thought it would be Philly that would be part of that trade package.

"I love the way [Brown] approaches the game too, on both sides of the floor. What he brings to the game, his insight on the game. ... Kind of misunderstood, and that is absolutely okay. I think we're all individuals for a reason. Everyone's always trying to put everybody in the same box, and I love what he stands for and what he brings to the table in that fashion."

Brown, who will turn 30 on Oct. 24—four days after the Sixers' regular-season opener—is preparing to enter his 11th NBA campaign.

The 2016 No. 3 overall pick out of Cal spent his first 10 NBA seasons in Boston and enjoyed enormous success during that time.

A five-time All-Star, Brown played a significant role in the Celtics' 2024 NBA championship, as he was named both Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP.

Brown is also coming off a career-best season statistically, as he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest with Jayson Tatum missing most the year while rehabbing from a torn Achilles.

While Brown's numbers may not look as good this season since he is part of a stacked roster, he could prove to be one of the missing pieces in Philly.

In addition to Brown, James noted that the presence of holdovers Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid played a big role in his decision to sign with the Sixers and pursue a fifth career NBA title.

After a four-game preseason slate, James and Brown are set to make their Sixers regular-season debut when they go on the road to face the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks on Oct. 20.