LeBron James Says Starting At Center Won’t Stick For 76ers

Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesLeBron James started at center for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, but he made it clear this is not a permanent plan. The 41-year-old forward played 15th time in his career at the position, yet he told reporters he does not want to stay there. The team lost 106-93 to the Detroit Pistons, their first defeat of the season, because they lacked size up front.James finished the night with 18 points and five assists while matching up with Paul Reed. He knows the team has a better option for the long haul. “Well, s— we got an MVP over there. I’m not here to have a sustainable role at the 5,” James said, according to ESPN. The Sixers need Joel Embiid back to win, not a veteran playing out of position.A Temporary Fix for a Broken FrontcourtThe 76ers are in a tough spot with injuries piling up around their star players. Head coach Nick Nurse confirmed the team is desperate for big men. “We’ve only got about three guys left that can possibly play the 5,” Nurse said pregame. On Sunday, the roster was missing Embiid plus Jabari Walker, Dominick Barlow, and Tacko Fall.Adem Bona stepped up as the only true center available. He played a season-high 25 minutes and grabbed 13 rebounds. James praised the young player’s work. “I thought he was amazing tonight: his energy, his effort,” James said. Bona gave the team a spark, but the rebounding numbers still show a major problem. Opponents have outrebounded Philadelphia in every game so far.Embiid Wants to Play But Team Says NoJoel Embiid asked the media to help him get back on the court before Sunday’s game. He wanted to face the Pistons after sitting out the previous night. “I actually want to play tomorrow, so can you guys put pressure on them,” Embiid said with a smile, according to ESPN. He even added, “… I want to play tomorrow, so start writing articles and put pressure on them so they’ll let me play.”The team ignored his request to keep him healthy for the long season. Over the course of his 10-year tenure in the league, Embiid has played an average of only 49 games per season. The Sixers decided to manage his right foot plantar fasciitis rather than risk further injury. This decision leaves the team thin, but it protects their best player for the playoff push.Why This Role Change Won’t LastJames has played center before, mostly during his 2021-22 season with the Lakers. He knows the physical toll it takes on his body. “You got Joel Embiid on the team. … If I was to say I was signed here to have a sustainable role at the 5, I don’t think none of us would actually want that,” James said. He can do the job for a few minutes, but the team cannot rely on it.The Sixers need their big men to return to fix their defense and rebounding. Tyrese Maxey summed up the hope for the team. “Some of our tall guys come back. That would be great,” he said. Until then, James will fill the gap, but everyone knows his time at center is just a stopgap measure.