10/20/2026 09:38:00
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10/20 08:53 CDT LeBron James is set to open his 24th season in New York when
his 76ers visit the Knicks
LeBron James is set to open his 24th season in New York when his 76ers visit
the Knicks
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- There was a plausible scenario where LeBron James would open
his record 24th NBA season at Madison Square Garden --- only in a New York
Knicks uniform.
His agent, Rich Paul, said over the summer the Knicks would have been James'
first choice in free agency had New York not won its first NBA championship
since 1973 last season.
It's the thrill of the chase, to end a championship drought --- much like he
did in Cleveland --- that in part drives James to keep playing after racking up
a list of accomplishments unrivaled by his modern-day peers.
It's why James is opening the season Tuesday night at "The World's Most Famous
Arena" wearing No. 23 for the Philadelphia 76ers instead of the home team.
While the spotlight is on the Knicks ahead of the game as they raise their
championship banner, all eyes will be on James once the ball tips as he makes
his debut with the Sixers.
The 76ers get a first look at the potent lineup they put together this summer
in hopes of winning their first NBA title since 1983. James and fellow All-Star
newcomer Jaylen Brown will start alongside holdovers Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey
and VJ Edgecombe.
There are some natural questions on how that All-Star starting four plus
Edgecombe will coexist when all have been the primary ball handlers on their
respective teams in the past. Who gets the ball in crunch time? Who has to
sacrifice the most? Who has the most to gain?
Watching the answers unfold in real time will be fascinating for the Sixers and
their fans.
"We're just getting together," James said after the Sixers' preseason finale.
"It's not going to be perfect. We've got some things to build on."
The offseason all the way through the countdown to the Sixers' home opener
Thursday against Cleveland has been nothing but a swirl of excitement in
Philadelphia. James jerseys are flying off the racks. Murals of him have popped
up all over the city. He drew more than 10,000 fans to a public scrimmage and
preseason games sold out. There's a public fascination with his helicopter
rides from New Jersey to New York.
Even his younger teammates admit to being a bit awestruck when they first met
James.
Knicks coach Mike Brown --- set to enjoy a championship celebration ahead of
the game --- has one of the longer professional relationships in the NBA with
James. Brown coached the Cavaliers from 2005 through 2010 until he was fired,
but the duo led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2007.
Brown said at the Knicks' preseason earlier game this month in Philadelphia
that it was easy to be awed by all that James has accomplished.
"Year 24 is insane," Brown said. "It's unheard of. It's not human. People talk
about (Victor Wembanyama) being not human because of what he can do for his
size. You kind of throw LeBron in that category because of his durability and
still doing it at the age that he has at a high level. It's amazing to watch."
A four-time NBA champion with three teams, James is already the NBA's career
scoring leader. The leader in games, minutes, field goals and field goals
attempted, too.
There's not much left for him to accomplish, except win that fifth ring.
Philadelphia is waiting.
___
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