LeBron says he wants to bring 'blueprint' for success to unproven Sixers core

LeBron James officially faced the local media throng at Philadelphia 76ers media day on Monday at the team's practice facility in Camden, and the 23-year professional said he had some lessons to impart that were passed down to him by a Hall-of-Famer.

When asked if Shaquille O'Neal -- James' teammate briefly on the 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers -- had some valuable things to tell him on his own journey that could be passed down to this generation of Sixers struggling to win a second playoff series, he said: 

"I have a lot of experience in this game, obviously, so I hope I can bring that knowledge, bring that blueprint to the guys that's trying to accomplish things they haven't done in their careers," he said. "I've seen everything that this league has to offer on the floor and off the floor.

The message isn't just for Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and others. Apparently King James has something to offer the likes of new acquisition Jaylen Brown, a champion two Junes ago with the Boston Celtics.

"I hope that, every single day with my approach to the game, approach to the work, that it can translate to every single guy -- even the guys that's been able to win at the highest levels."

As far as being a lightning rod for criticism externally or a calm water internally whenever the club eventually goes through a rough stretch this upcoming season, James appeared to want to put himself at the center so his teammates could work through whatever issues arise.

"You never get too high, never get too low. Understand that the noise is gonna be the noise," he offered. "What happens outside this building is going to consistently happen and it's going to be doubled and tripled and quadrupled when I'm here."

Regarding the role he wants for himself, or that which he's discussed with head coach Nick Nurse and his staff, James gamely offered up his services as a Swiss Army knife. His quiet, veteran confidence was on full display in 10 words, with a knowing smile.

"The luxury of my game is, I can do everything," he said.

The 41-year-old native of Akron, Ohio has pretty much done everything one can think of during a career which spans three decades of the 21st century: 22-time NBA All-Star, 21-time All-NBA selection, 6-time All-NBA defensive player, 4-time league MVP, 4-time NBA champion, 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, one of the best of the league's 75-year history and more which true fans could rattle off at the snap of a finger which I don't care to address in this piece.

It's the 4-time NBA champion that will be the thrust of James' work both on and off the court for however long he lasts in Philadelphia. James has won once with Cleveland, twice with Miami and once with the Lakers. The Sixers, however, not including Brown, haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs in 25 years, when the franchise led by Allen Iverson, lost to Shaq's Lakers.

And so maybe take the second knuckle out of your mouth when James talked about still "loving the process" of preparing to play each season. He said he will never get tired of putting in the work -- a word he said more than 20 times in a 17-minute interview -- claiming it is part of his DNA. He also said he won't miss the sacrifices inherent in playing one place while his children are scattered in age and location. 

On Embiid, James said it was a little premature to make any judgments or statements about his role as a mentor since it was his first day within the confines of the organization but he admitted he was "looking forward to seeing what his process is."

James was also looking forward to seeing how Embiid himself defines his pathway to becoming the best version of himself and the best version he can be for the Sixers, given his largest obstacle to both has been nagging injuries which slowed him down and affected how the team performed. 

"As an elder statesman of the team, as a guy who's been through a lot, hopefully I can give him resources and whatever he needs on a day-to-day basis to make him feel more and more comfortable about where he is, where we are, as a team."

To view James' full remarks from earlier today, bang the link.

Former Phils owner, chairman Giles dies at 92

Earlier on Friday, former Philadelphia Phillies owner, general manager and chairman William Y. Giles died at the age of 92.

Giles and a consortium of other investors purchased the franchise from Ruly Carpenter and the Carpenter family following the strike-interrupted 1981 season. 

Son of Warren Giles, who spent periods as team president of the Cincinnati Reds as well as the National League, Bill Giles influenced team history before stepping unto the breach at the highest levels. As a member of the marketing team, he was instrumental in creating the Phillie Phanatic and such spectacles as the Flying Wallendas.

Giles was also a significant factor in convincing Reds star Pete Rose to sign a lucrative free-agent contract with the Phils in the winter of 1978 over several other clubs. 

Below is a statement issued by the team earlier this evening, including remarks from John Middleton on Giles' passing:

A statement on behalf of Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton: pic.twitter.com/hSUyXXdfNw

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 25, 2026

Vladar suffers arm injury vs. Bruins, listed as day-to-day

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will apparently not miss significant time after sustaining an apparent injury to his right arm in Tuesday night's 5-1 preseason loss to the Bruins in Boston.

He's officially listed as "day-to-day" by a franchise which notoriously keeps things close to the vest.

Vladar, who started the Flyers' second exhibition contest in as many nights and was scheduled to play the first 2 periods, was forced to leave the game with roughly 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the opening stanza. During a sequence in the Bruins offensive zone, Vladar appears to be run into by B's forward Tanner Jeannot, after which he visibly holds his right arm at his side.

Seconds later, the Bruins scored the first goal of the contest and Vladar was replaced by Alexei Kolosov for the remainder of the contest. 

Following the game, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said there was no update on Vladar's status, only that he was "being evaluated" by team staff. 

Obviously they "dodged a bullet," as Tocchet said when he kicked off a post-practice update among reporters on Wednesday afternoon. 

"He's day-to-day," Tocchet admitted. "He's in good spirits today."

When asked if Vladar would be OK to play in next Wednesday's season opener vs. the Penguins, Tocchet deferred to his opening quote. 

"Could be 48 hours or 72. I don't know," he added.

Vladar suffered a similar injury during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins when Pens forward Bryan Rust tried a similar strafing run through the crease in what ended up a 5-2 Flyers win. 

Vladar did not miss another minute for the entire series and a subsequent loss in the East semis to the Carolina Hurricanes, but the nature of the injury was not disclosed by the team during the playoff run, nor did Vladar elaborate during break-up day in May. 

At that time, he only told the assembled media contingent that the injury would not affect his pending off-season routine.

In large part due to the failure of Sam Ersson to make an impression, this summer Flyers GM Danny Briere traded for Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Joe Woll -- who filled in admirably 2 seasons ago with nominal starter Anthony Stolarz on the shelf -- who might be called upon in relief.

"The one thing we're lucky (about) is, he has an intelligent mind," Tocchet said of Woll. "He studies, even our (penalty kill) and stuff like that. I think he knows how important he is and that he's going to play some games for us."

Tocchet also said he'd be "very comfortable" with Woll stepping in should he need to begin the season in net and play more than originally thought, also admitting that former Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke highly of Woll. 

"We're in good shape with that."

For Woll's part, he was very much understated in his own comments after workouts.

"I think I've proven that I can do that in my career," Woll offered when asked if he was ready to take the reins if needed, from the start of the season. 

"My goal from the start with this team has been to help out wherever I can -- whatever situation that means," he added. "It doesn't really change my process day-to-day or my mindset."

Woll called the acclimatization process with the Flyers "fun challenges" 

The club officially opens the regular season one week from today, at home against the Penguins.

The Flyers have two preseason games remaining, both on home ice, vs. Boston on Thursday night and vs. Washington on Saturday evening.