LeBron James knows exactly what Tyrese Maxey is all about. As the Sixers’ new superstar detailed on the latest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash, that’s an enormous reason why he chose to sign a two-year, minimum-salary deal to come to Philadelphia. “First of all , my relationship with Tyrese Maxey goes beyond the court,” James began an extended response to Nash’s question about his free agency decision.  James and Maxey share an agent in Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. Long before Maxey’s rise to All-NBA guard, James saw special qualities in the ultra-dedicated, exceptionally joyful Kentucky product.  “I just love everything about Tyrese Maxey, man,” James said. “Every day you get the same person, and that is very rare in sports and it’s obviously super rare in life. I’ve always talked about how great of a person he is. And we obviously know what he brings to the basketball court.  “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. ‘Yo, what are we doing? What’s up, OG? What’s up, old head? Come on down here, man. We could use you down here.’ … There’s a lot of times that I don’t answer the phone for some phone calls, because I don’t even want to be swayed one way or I already know what you’re calling about. But he’s such a great person. I cannot not talk to him.” James recalled first meeting Maxey ahead of the 2020 NBA draft.  “He’s been the same person since the moment I met him, before he was drafted into the NBA,” he said. “The same exact person. He came to my house and at that point in time he was 19 years old, so he was actually hanging with (my sons) Bronny and Bryce. They were playing video games inside the house. So I met him and said what’s up to him when he was going into the draft. But he was closer to Bronny and Bryce than he was to me, so he was hanging with them.  “He came in and he was super respectful to me, super respectful to my wife, super respectful to everyone in the house. Bright smile and just super down to earth. From the moment he’s gotten drafted to the perennial All-Star, superstar that he’s becoming, nothing has changed. Nothing has changed in his demeanor. “And we all know how people can be the humble kid coming in, and then some success happens and they’re totally different. The kid has been the same person, man. It’s hard sometimes, too. I’m not faulting anyone for having some change. … But this kid — this young man now — is beyond his years for sure.” Maxey and the Sixers’ pitch ultimately yielded a 22-time All-Star. According to James, he wasn’t always sure whether he’d be suiting up for another NBA season after the Lakers’ second-round playoff exit.  “There were a lot of moments,” he said, “once we lost to OKC, of, ‘Is this the end?’”  James still felt driven to play.  “I think the only thing that I’d continue to say to myself was, if you still have an opportunity to do what you love, then why just say I’m done? Do you have a real reason? … I think that’s what it came down to,” he said. “And I’m not going to cheat it. I’m not just going to show up to practice, no stretch, no workout, no weight room, no recovery, no nothing — just go on the court and play. “There’s no way I could do that and be successful in this game. … Once the curtain is closed, the curtain is closed. And if you still have an opportunity to play at a high level and compete at a high level, then why not?” Of course, Maxey was far from the lone factor that drew James to the Sixers. He touched on plenty in the podcast, including the Sixers’ stunning summer trade to acquire Jaylen Brown. Joel Embiid is a giant piece, too.  “One of the most important (parts), to be honest, is the big fella,” James said. “He’s done everything in our league and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. I want to try to help him get that first one. He’s been the MVP of our league, he has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, bunch of money, beautiful family. He has everything. He has the city on his back.  “It’s been The Process for 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I think it’s time now that we dig even deeper into the Process, and I hope I can be that final little piece that can help him get over the hump and help him see it maybe a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day of what it takes to get there.” It’s almost time for James to get formally rolling as a Sixer. The team’s media day is set for Monday morning and training camp will start Tuesday.  ...read more read less