James Impresses in Pre-Season Debut for 76ers
Listen to the story
LeBron James made an impressive pre-season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that has been re-tooled with new players this year.
According to sources, the 76ers planned to play their starters in the pre-season game against the Brooklyn Nets. Starters are usually a team's strongest and most important players, so this showed the match was taken seriously even though it was not an official game.
One highlight of the night came when James delivered a no-look dime to teammate VJ. A 'no-look' pass means the passer does not look at the player he is passing to, which makes it harder for opponents to predict. A 'dime' is basketball slang for a very good assist.
VJ received the pass and finished with a powerful dunk, often described as 'flushing it', when a player jumps and forces the ball directly through the hoop with force.
The play quickly drew attention as an early sign of good chemistry between James and his new teammates. Chemistry, in sports, refers to how well players work together on the court.
Although pre-season games do not count toward the official standings, they give fans and coaches an early look at how a re-built team might perform once the real season begins.
With James leading the way, 76ers fans will be watching closely to see if this early performance continues once the regular season starts.
Vocabulary10 words
- pre-season
- games played before the official season starts
- re-tooled
- changed by adding new players to improve a team
- starters
- the main players who usually begin a game
- no-look dime
- a skillful pass made without looking at the receiver
- assist
- a pass that helps a teammate score
- dunk
- scoring by forcing the ball through the basket from above
- chemistry
- how well teammates play together
- season
- the official period when games count
- debut
- someone's first appearance in a role or event
- sources
- people who provide information, often unnamed
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. Play their starters 2. A skillful pass without looking at the receiver 3. False
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
LeBron James made an impressive _____ debut for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers are a team that has been _____ with new players this year.
According to sources, the 76ers planned to play their _____ in the game.
James delivered a no-look _____ to teammate VJ.
A 'dime' is basketball slang for a very good _____.
VJ received the pass and finished with a powerful _____.
The play drew attention as a sign of good _____ between James and his new teammates.
Pre-season games do not count toward the official _____.
Fans will be watching to see if this early performance continues once the regular _____ starts.
The game was against the Brooklyn _____.
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
