Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey spoke on March 27 about his relationship with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, describing a friendly rivalry that has developed between the two players during offseason workouts. In an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” Maxey said he and James often compete to see who can arrive earlier to their training sessions.
Maxey, a two-time NBA All-Star, said this competitive spirit is not about being intimidated by James but rather about striving to match and surpass the work ethic of some of the league’s greatest players. “.@TyreseMaxey and @KingJames try to one-up each other by seeing who arrives earlier to a workout,” Maxey said during his interview.
The connection between Maxey and James is further strengthened by their shared representation through Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. This relationship has allowed Maxey multiple opportunities to train alongside the Lakers veteran. He noted that his approach mirrors stories told about former Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, who was known for arriving early and completing intense workouts before others arrived.
James himself has long been recognized for his dedication both on the court and in maintaining his physical condition, qualities that have contributed to his longevity in the NBA. Maxey emphasized that learning from someone like James provides valuable insight into what it takes to achieve greatness in professional basketball.
In addition, James recently addressed changes in his role with the Lakers. Despite being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he has taken fewer shots lately as he adjusts to playing behind teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. When asked about this shift, James said it was necessary for team success.
