LeBron James talks smack with Knicks fans in victorious 76ers debut
LeBron James made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, facing a hostile crowd fresh off an NBA championship. Despite the jeers and trash talk from fans, James and the Sixers secured a 106-100 victory.
Why it matters
Highlights the ongoing cultural and competitive storylines surrounding one of the NBA's most historic players as he enters a record-breaking 24th season with a new team.
NEW YORK — LeBron James got the business from Knicks fans still gloating and riding an emotional high from an NBA championship banner celebration.
As he stepped to the free-throw line for the Philadelphia 76ers early in Tuesday night's season opener, Knicks fans erupted toward James with chants of "We don't want you! We don't want you!"
Such a rude reception from New Yorkers to one of the city's newest residents.
The shouts of rejection came in part because there was a plausible scenario under which James would have opened the season at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform.
James and his agent, Rich Paul, had said the Knicks would have been James' first choice in free agency had New York not won its first NBA championship since 1973 last season.
The 41-year-old James got the final word as the Sixers won 106-100.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in