LeBron James Discusses His Longevity, Being Calming Presence for 76ers Amid 5-1 Start to Season

LeBron James says he thinks his unprecedented longevity in the NBA has allowed him to be a "calming factor" late in games for the Philadelphia 76ers.

James spoke about his mindset shortly after scoring 20 points as the Sixers opened NBA Cup play with a Friday night win over the visiting New York Knicks.

"I didn't think I would still be playing in year 24, that's for sure, but I knew I would have a lasting career, because I know how much I put into my body and my mind, and training, and things of that nature, every single year, every single offseason," James told reporters Friday (h/t Chris Hine of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

James continued, "I guess the best teacher in life is experience. I've been in really big games... For me to be able to be a calming factor for our team, late game, it's just an experience that I have.

"If it's me with the ball, without the ball, being able to just put guys in the right position, just trying to talk them through it... It's something I want to continue to pour into the team."

Jalen Brunson helped the Knicks pull ahead by one point with one and half minutes remaining of Saturday night's matchup in Philadelphia.

James responded with an answering jump shot to regain a lead the Sixers held until the final buzzer.

The 76ers improved to 5-1 with Friday night's win to tie the Detroit Pistons for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers will now prepare for a quick turnaround before a Saturday evening game at the Charlotte Hornets. James and Joel Embiid could be sitting out as part of their load management strategy involving back-to-backs, while Jaylen Brown's status will remain in question after he was ruled out of Friday's game with a knee injury.