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 Sixers ruined the Knicks' championship party.A good night in New York totally spoiled? Not quite, according to James."I wouldn't say that," James said."It was a great night for New York fans.
Fifty-plus years.I was a part of that at one point where we hadn't won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years.
The fans will never forget this moment."James' first basket for the Sixers was not nearly as memorable.He took a feed from Embiid in the paint and went up strong for an uncontested right-handed layup.Just two points.
Just one bucket of what the Sixers expect to be many, many more over the next two seasons as the NBA's career scoring leader opened his record 24th season.Embiid appeared to wonder during the national anthem where the Knicks' championship banner was hanging in the rafters as James sat near...