LeBron James' versatility, passing on full display in Philadelphia 76ers debut

What LeBron James brings to the 76ers was on full display right after halftime of their season opener: Coach Nick Nurse switched up the matchups and had LeBron guarding Karl-Anthony Towns (putting Joel Embiid on Josh Hart).

Versatility. He can defend multiple positions. He can get a bucket, but spent most of the game as a facilitator, making the smart pass to get someone else the easy two.

Or, he can just do this.

On a team stacked with talent — and guys used to having the ball in their hands — LeBron's willingness to sacrifice to do whatever it takes to win stood out in his opener — and is part of the reason the 76ers picked up the 106-100 win to spoil ring night in Madison Square Garden.

LeBron had a 14-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist night.

"I can be a lot better. Still getting my rhythm," LeBron said in his walk-off interview with NBC's Zora Stephenson. "Obviously, just a little over two weeks with the new squad. I like the way we played, I thought we played well, especially defensively. Didn't shoot the ball well but we have capable shooters, we know that."

It looked better than LeBron thought. When LeBron and Embiid were on the floor, the 76ers could invert the offense, put them both out high, and have Tyrese Maxey or Jaylen Brown cut and move with space in the paint. It wasn't always smooth, but it worked.

LeBron still has his haters. "We don't want you" chants rang out in Madison Square Garden when LeBron stepped to the free-throw line (a reference to LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, saying that if the Knicks hadn't won a title, he would have gone to New York this summer).

That's not going to bother him. And, it's not going to bother the 76ers. Coach Nick Nurse called other coaches to see what he was in for coaching LeBron.

"There wasn't a whole lot of amazing, laundry list of things they're gonna say. They say you're gonna really like coaching him, and that is the case," Nurse said.

Nurse also talked about what LeBron, and another champion in Jaylen Brown, bring to the 76ers.

"You see both of their work ethics are A-plus, right? So without them even saying anything, who they are and how they go about things, automatically gives you some some pop, right?" Nurse said. "But they're both very serious about winning, both very serious about their preparation, and they both understand the game and do use their voices and help their teammates do things out there."

LeBron did that on opening night, and that is exactly why Philadelphia was excited to welcome him in. They are 1-0 because of it.