LeBron James and Philadelphia already have a spark
Sixers fans don’t give anyone a pass, not even LeBron James. But LBJ enjoyed every moment of his first night in Philadelphia
Playing in Philadelphia isn’t for everyone. 76ers fans are among the loudest and most passionate in the NBA, but when things aren’t going well, they can also be pretty demanding. And LeBron James has already experienced both sides of his new home crowd.
Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia found itself down 29 points with just over a minute left before halftime. Deafening boos rained down from the stands at Xfinity Mobile Arena, an understandable response to what was unfolding on the court.
Then everything changed. The Sixers erased a deficit that had seemed impossible to overcome, winning 114-106 and turning those boos into a roar of excitement.
The experience made quite an impression on LeBron James, playing his first game in front of the Philadelphia crowd. Afterward, King James said he had enjoyed even the less pleasant part of the evening.
It was everything I dreamed of and more. We got booed. It was amazing. We deserved it. And then we got cheered, and tonight we almost blew the roof off this building
LeBron James
Clearly, LeBron already seems to understand how Philadelphia works. If you play poorly, the fans let you know in no uncertain terms. But when you get them on your side, the atmosphere can become something special.