New Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James has made his passion for golf public. The four-time NBA champion has often spoken about his golf game and even launched a golf-based YouTube channel, so it was only fitting that LeBron James's recruitment to the Philadelphia 76ers would come with a golf twist.
The Athletic's Brendan Quinn recounted the recruiting pitch that happened on 76ers head coach Nick Nurse's golf course that ultimately secured the commitment of LeBron James Nurse was at a golf course that he owns, Carroll National Golf Club in Iowa, when he received a call from LeBron James during NBA free agency.
Nurse was on his 10th hole when James called him to ask questions about basketball essentials with the 76ers that would ultimately lead to his decision.
Article Continues Below“Nurse answered each question, occasionally covering his ear as the whoosh of an 18-wheeler hauling down nearby four-lane U.S. 30 cut through the background. Carroll sits 80 miles from Des Moines, 160 miles from Iowa City, and many moons from Philadelphia. What Nurse told LeBron, we can’t be totally sure, but it seems like it ultimately helped. At minimum, it didn’t hurt,” Quinn wrote.
Two weeks later, James announced he would sign with Philadelphia in a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA. Now, Nurse and James head into the season with one goal in mind: win the NBA championship. Their pursuit starts with a matchup against the defending champion New York Knicks, who beat the 76ers in a four-game sweep that never felt close.