LeBron James: Maxey friendship, helping Embiid were 76ers factors - ESPN

LeBron James said his long-standing friendship with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first NBA title played significant roles in his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July.

James, 41, revealed some details about the free agency process and what helped put the 76ers over the top on his «Mind the Game» podcast with co-host Steve Nash that dropped Friday.

«I think I'm more in love with the pursuit of how much more can I defy the odds,» James said on the podcast.

James said «Philly was not even a question» early in his decision-making until the Sixers pulled the surprising deal with the Boston Celtics for NBA Finals MVP and champion Jaylen Brown. James and Maxey share an agent and have been friends and workout partners since the Sixers guard broke into the league, a friendship that turned into a recruiting pitch for the NBA's career scoring leader.

«When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn't be returning, he was one of the first people that was on my line, calling me,» James said of Maxey.

James also was intrigued with trying to help oft-injured Embiid win his first title. Embiid has won an NBA MVP, two scoring titles and an Olympic gold medal but has yet to lead the Sixers beyond the second round of the playoffs since Philadelphia selected him third overall in the 2014 draft.

«He's done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one,» James said. «He has a city on his back. He's been 'The Process' for 10 years, 12 years, however long he's been there. But I think it's time we even get you deeper into The Process. And I hope that