Tyrese Maxey wasn’t always calling LeBron James to recruit him. Before he was an All-NBA guard pitching a championship core in Philadelphia, Maxey was a 19-year-old hanging out at James’ house, playing video games with Bronny and Bryce.
“He came to my house, and at that point in time, he was 19 years old,” James said, recalling the relationship. “He’s been the same person since the moment I met him before he was drafted into the NBA.”
That old friendship is a big part of why James picked up the phone this summer when Maxey called with a pitch. And why Saturday’s scrimmage produced a moment nobody expected from a 41-year-old future Hall of Famer.
The Sixers held their annual Blue and White Scrimmage at a sold-out Xfinity Mobile Arena. They gave fans their first live look at a starting five of Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, James and Joel Embiid. James delivered everything that lineup was built for – an alley-oop slam off a Maxey feed that he hung on for a few seconds, a behind-the-back dish to Edgecombe, and a long three from well beyond the arc.
Then, sitting on the bench between possessions, LeBron James found himself holding Maxey’s infant daughter, Marvel, bouncing her on his knee while the game continued around him.
The clip went viral almost immediately, with fans online dubbing James “LeBabysitter.” One fan joked that Maxey’s daughter now has a story nobody will believe without proof: “Imagine the kid bragging – ‘You know, Bron held me courtside,’ and people thinking he’s lying, then he pulls this video out.”
James leaned into the nickname himself. He posted the video to his Instagram story with his own caption: “Uncle Bron on babysitting duty! When unk is called upon you hande with care! LOL. she’s the best.”
The baby-holding moment tracked with everything James has said about why he chose Philadelphia in the first place. His bond with Maxey is one of the most documented relationships behind the move, but it isn’t his only real connection on the roster.
James and Embiid built chemistry together during the 2024 Olympics, where Embiid started multiple games for Team USA. “Basically kind of picked up from 2024 during Olympics. We had some chemistry. We played a lot of minutes,” James said, adding that the biggest difference now is Embiid’s health. “He’s just so much healthier. He hasn’t missed a practice.”
That theme, of familiarity turning quickly into on-court rhythm, showed up throughout the scrimmage. Maxey and James connected in transition like players who’d shared a roster for years, not days.
Brown, the Finals MVP Philadelphia acquiredo. For a team that’s underperformed relative to its talent for years, the scrimmage offered a preview that the pieces might actually fit
The Sixers open the preseason against the defending champion Knicks, with the real opener set for Oct. 20 in New York. Whatever happens in the standings, James has already given Philadelphia a viral moment and a nickname that will follow him through his first season in a Sixers jersey.
Ubong Archibong is an NBA writer at BasketballNews, bringing over two years of experience in basketball coverage. Having previously worked with BasketballNews, Sportskeeda and FirstSportz, he has developed a strong foundation in delivering timely and engaging content around the league. His coverage focuses on game analysis, player performances, and evolving narratives across the National Basketball Association. Blending statistical insight with storytelling, Ubong aims to go beyond the immediate headline by placing performances and moments within a broader context, helping readers better understand the dynamics shaping the game. His work prioritizes clarity, accessibility, and a fan-first approach that connects audiences to both the action and the personalities behind it. Before joining BasketballNews, Ubong covered the NBA and WNBA across multiple platforms, building experience in fast-paced reporting and deadline-driven publishing. His background in content writing has strengthened his ability to balance speed with accuracy, ensuring consistent and reliable coverage for a global audience.
