LeBron James Believes New 76ers Teammate Jaylen Brown is ‘Misunderstood’

LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are now teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the 2026-27 season.

LeBron James Believes New 76ers Teammate Jaylen Brown is ‘Misunderstood’

LeBron James and Jaylen Brown (via Yahoo Sports)

LeBron James was one of Jaylen Brown‘s biggest rivals when the latter entered the league in 2016. Brown saw early postseason success, but James and the Cleveland Cavaliers stopped him in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017 and 2018.

Fast-forward to today, the two stars are set to be teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers heading into the new campaign. While James has spent the majority of his career in the East, he played his last eight years for the Los Angeles Lakers in the West.

Over the past decade, Brown has cemented himself as one of the NBA’s most interesting players. While he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league after the season he just had, he is also known as a very vocal figure.

Hence, it is not surprising to see him receive criticism for speaking his mind. On the latest episode of Mind The Game podcast, the King explained why he believes Brown is often “misunderstood.”

I just think anytime someone kind of moves to their own beat, it makes people uncomfortable. He has his own voice. He moves to the sound of his own beat. So when it becomes misunderstood, then it becomes intimidating and people look at it as like, I don’t want to be around that because they feel intimidated by that. There’s an energy they don’t feel comfortable with.

LeBron James on Mind The Game podcast

Brown is coming off his best individual season in the NBA. With Jayson Tatum missing the majority of the regular season, Brown led the Celtics to the playoffs after helping them finish second in the Eastern Conference standings. However, to everyone’s surprise, the Celtics traded him to the 76ers in a blockbuster move early in the summer.

The 29-year-old often rubs people the wrong way because he always marches to the beat of his own drum. He isn’t afraid of calling things out and never shies away from speaking his mind. While his attitude and comments may annoy a lot of people, James has defended his new teammate and believes he is “misunderstood” more often than not.

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LeBron James on his early interactions with Jaylen Brown

After a disappointing end to their 2025-26 campaign, when the New York Knicks clean-swept them in the second round, the 76ers front office knew it was time to make major changes. The move for Jaylen Brown caught everyone’s attention, but they were not done.

A few weeks later, they pulled off the biggest move in free agency by signing James to a two-year deal. The two acquisitions have many calling the 76ers the “most dominant” team in the league as presently constructed.

The two recent acquisitions have already had a few training sessions together, and James noted that all of their early interactions have been positive.

We’ve been in communication. 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 we raise that Larry O’Brien Trophy.

LeBron James on Mind The Game podcast

Both Brown and James join Philly with championship DNA. The King is a four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP, while Brown was named the Finals MVP when he led the Celtics to a championship two years ago. With their championship experience, the two will serve as de facto leaders for their new team.

LeBron James wants to help Joel Embiid win a championship

LeBron James may not be the player he was 10 years ago, but he showed last season that he can still play at an elite level when needed the most. He joins a team with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Brown in the starting lineup. Hence, the expectations are sky-high for the upcoming season.

LeBron James and Joel Embiid
LeBron James and Joel Embiid (Image via Eurohoops TR/X)

During the episode, James revealed that one of the biggest reasons he chose Philly was to help Embiid win his first ring.

He’s done everything in our league and the only thing he has not done and that’s win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one. He’s been the MVP of our league. Has a gold medal, All-Stars. It’s been the process, for what, 10 years, 12 years, or however long he’s been there. But I mean, I think it’s time now that we even dig even deeper into the process.

LeBron James on Mind The Game podcast

Embiid’s career has been hindered by injuries. James was concerned about his health before signing with Philly. But the center assured the 41-year-old that he feels healthy and was feeling good in the summer. If Embiid stays fit for the 2026-27 campaign, the 76ers can finally end “The Process” that Embiid started with a championship.

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