LeBron James and Nick Nurse have quickly formed a productive partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers. League insiders have taken notice of the working relationship between the 41-year-old star and his new coach.

James and Nurse had no prior relationship, but they held an extensive conversation before James chose Philadelphia in free agency and spoke several times before training camp opened.

That foundation stands out given James' history with new coaches.

"LeBron didn't vibe with [Heat coach Erik Spoelstra] at the start, and lots of people think he wanted him fired in the first month [of 2010-11]," said one veteran NBA executive. "He never gave David Blatt a chance (when James went back to the Cleveland Cavaliers) and it went sideways really quick when he went to L.A. with Luke [Walton].

"From the outside [Nurse and James] look like they're working together very well."

Nurse has leaned on James' versatility and buy-in. James has served as the lead ball handler for stretches and shifted to defensive center while the Sixers manage injuries to their big men.

Before the season, James praised Nurse for guiding the Toronto Raptors to the franchise's first championship in 2019.

"[LeBron] had a good relationship with JJ [Redick] from day one [with the Lakers] and they worked well together and that's a better way to live," said a Western Conference assistant coach. "If LeBron thinks you're smart and you put him in a position to be successful, he's going to respect you."

Philadelphia owns the league's best record at 8-1 and is 7-0 in games decided in clutch time.