LeBron James talks smack with Knicks fans, drops 14 points in victorious 76ers debut

Manila Times - Oct 21, 2026

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. Knicks fans said, we’re good. The 41-year-old James got the final word as the Sixers won 106-100. James talked smack with fans in the lower level. Yes, that was Spike Lee trying to play peacemaker. James finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and had plenty of help in getting the W from new Sixers and holdovers. Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Jaylen Brown had 19, Joel Embiid had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and the...

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