The 'Almost' Knicks Era
Real talk: LeBron James in a Sixers jersey is still hard to process. But it almost didn’t go down like this. On Monday, during his first official media day with the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron spilled the tea on why he chose Philly over New York.
He confirmed that the Knicks were his number one pick to finish his career. LeBron said, "I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden." He called MSG the best arena in the world for a player. So why the change of heart? The Knicks' massive championship win in June was the plot twist he didn't see coming.
Why Philly?
LeBron noted that after the Knicks beat San Antonio to take the trophy, he couldn't go there. He didn't want to be labeled a frontrunner, especially after the heat he took for joining the Miami Heat back in the day. "Y'all wouldn't have let me live that down at all," he told reporters.
Instead, he’s in Philly, and he’s clearly locked in. He pointed to the team's trade for star wing Jaylen Brown as a major reason he thinks they can grab a ring.
The Philly Promise
LeBron isn't here to mess around. He dropped a major line during media day: "I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round. I know that for sure."
Oh, and he’s not cutting ties with NYC completely. He confirmed he’s living a bi-coastal lifestyle with multiple residences, splitting time between Philly and New York as he winds down his career.
Why it matters
This is a massive shift for the Sixers, who are desperate to break their 43-year championship drought. With LeBron in the mix, the pressure to deliver is at an all-time high—if they don't win, this quote is going to be a meme for the ages.
