LeBron James hasn’t played a minute for the Philadelphia 76ers yet, but Dwyane Wade already has seen something familiar from his longtime friend and former teammate.
Wade shared a series of photos from James’ offseason work on Instagram on August 8, then pointed to a habit he says has remained unchanged across more than two decades.
“For the last 24 years I’ve always known where to find him,” Wade wrote. “His dedication for greatness can leave you speechless.”
James quickly answered Wade in the comments.
“My brother ∞! Love you bro!” James wrote.
For Philadelphia, the exchange amounts to more than two former Miami Heat teammates reminiscing. James is 41 and preparing for an unprecedented 24th NBA season after choosing the Sixers for the next chapter of his career. Philadelphia officially announced his signing in late July.
And Wade’s point was straightforward: After all this time, he still knows where to look for James.
Dwyane Wade Has Watched LeBron James’ Routine for Decades
Few players can speak about James’ preparation with Wade’s perspective.
The two entered the NBA together in 2003 before becoming teammates with the Miami Heat, where they won championships together in 2012 and 2013. Wade’s latest photos showed the two together in a gym, including shots of James working on the court.
His message focused not on James’ résumé but on the process that has allowed him to keep adding to it.
That distinction is especially relevant now.
James is no longer being asked simply to defy age for another season. The Sixers signed him to help a roster with championship ambitions alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.
The question for Philadelphia is how much of the player who dominated the league for two decades remains, and how the Sixers can maximize that version without demanding too much from him over an 82-game season.
James’ Changing Game Could Matter Just as Much as His Conditioning
James already showed signs last season of adapting his workload.
He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 regular-season games. The scoring average was the lowest of his career, but he still shot 51.5% from the field.
More interesting for Philadelphia was how James generated his offense.
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann noted that James posted a career-low 26.2% usage rate and held the ball for only 3.8 minutes per game, his lowest mark in the league’s tracking era. For the first time in his career, more than half of his made field goals were assisted.
That’s potentially useful on this Sixers roster.
Philadelphia doesn’t need James to monopolize every possession. Maxey can create off the dribble, Brown gives the Sixers another high-level wing option, and Embiid remains the centerpiece when healthy. James’ ability to pick his spots, facilitate and attack without carrying his old offensive burden could be one of the keys to making the group fit.
That is what makes Wade’s seemingly simple Instagram post worth watching.
At 41, James inevitably has to change parts of his game. Wade’s 24-year observation suggests the preparation behind it hasn’t changed nearly as much.
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