LEBRON JAMES SETS UP DUNK IN 76ERS PRESEASON DEBUT

LeBron James made his preseason debut for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Brooklyn Nets. With the Sixers trailing 29-27 and 1:10 left in the first quarter, James carried the ball to the top of the key and delivered a no-look pass over his head to team-mate Jabari Walker, who completed an uncontested dunk. Nets broadcasters Chris Shearn and Frank Isola of the YES Network highlighted the play, saying James had recorded five assists without attempting a shot. One of them described James as "three or four leaps ahead of everyone else" and compared him to former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.

The commentators said the comparison rested on how both men adapted to ageing by relying on anticipation rather than raw athletic ability. One said Brady reached a stage in his career where he "didn't have it" physically but remained intellectually superior to those around him. They said James, now in his 24th NBA season, can read defensive rotations and release passes before openings close. The pass to Walker required James to recognise his team-mate's run towards the basket without alerting defenders. One commentator added that while some regard James as the greatest player in basketball history, his own preference remained Michael Jordan.

Brady spent the final three seasons of his playing career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV in his first season with the team. The broadcasters presented the Walker assist as evidence that James, like Brady, continues to influence games through decision-making rather than physical dominance. The game was a preseason fixture and does not count towards the regular NBA season standings. The reports did not state the final score between the 76ers and the Nets.