CAMDEN, N.J. -- It took until Day 3 of training camp for Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse to introduce offensive schemes to his new group.
And though the offense flowed with expected ease Thursday during 5-on-0 drills, role definition will be as important as understanding the playbook when the real games start.
Nurse detailed the offensive responsibilities he envisions LeBron James occupying. The team will certainly put the ball in the 24-year veteran's capable hands -- as, team sources told ESPN, Philadelphia discussed playing James at point forward this offseason -- but he won't be the only one with the ball.
"We got several guys that what I would call 'grab-and-go,'" Nurse said. "If they get rebounds and their first advantage is to start pushing it up the floor and it stays that way, then they're going to do it."
Beyond James, the group Nurse will rely on to push the team in transition includes fellow starters Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.
Though Nurse emphasized defense during the first two days of camp, part of the presentation was imploring his players to get stops to spark fast-break opportunities when scoring will come instinctively.
When the Sixers set up in the half court, however, Nurse is glad to have James, who ranks No. 1 in all-time points and No. 4 in all-time assists on this team.
"I just think LeBron, I consider him a great offense creator," Nurse said. "I don't necessarily mean scorer, I just think creator and a table setter and all that kind of stuff. ... If it isn't bringing it up and starting [the possession], it's probably going to be first pass anyway to [him on] the wing and then we get into our actions, and he's kind of seeing what's there, and he's creating offense for others."
As the Sixers look to organize themselves against a set defense, that's when player recognition will be paramount.
James, Brown and Joel Embiid, for instance, can operate out of the post to initiate offense. The court, however, can get awfully crowded if the team has a player planted on either block and any of those three expect their touches there.
"One, it's a feel thing, and two, we just try to establish some spacing," Brown said. "We try to establish position on the floor, like the style of play. I think we're still kind of figuring it out. Like when I am going to go, when not to go, when big fella is going down in the post, when I can put pressure on the rim, just trying to find that balance."
Brown has already spent time with coaches after practice this week, not only practicing fadeaway shots when double-teamed in the post, but also practicing throwing passes to the 3-point line to elude the double.
Sixers player development coaches have been the recipients of those passes, but the idea is for Brown to picture finding one of his star teammates open if he dissects the defense properly.
"I played with a fair share of stretch 5s, and it really complements my game well," Brown said of Embiid.
Just like how Nurse welcomes James' input to complement his coaching.
"I would like to have a collaborative situation here," Nurse said. "So, when just about anything that's on the table, he can say, 'What are you thinking about doing?' Any thoughts. Any ideas. And not just with him. I actually did it with five of the players this morning before practice."
There will be only a couple of more practice opportunities before the Sixers' offense will see a real opposing defense. Philadelphia's preseason opener is scheduled for Monday against the New York Knicks.
