LeBron James Debuts in 76ers Blue: ‘I Didn’t Leave My Family to Lose in the Second Round’

LeBron James has his line for the season, and he delivered it with a grin. At the 76ers’ media day on Monday (Sept. 28), his first time speaking in Philadelphia colors, the 41-year-old set the bar for his new team in one sentence: “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” per the AP.

He opened the session by dropping his name card on the floor. “You guys know who I am, right?” he said, Sports Illustrated reports. Then the tone turned serious. James said the Sixers, who went 45-37 last year and were swept in the second round by the Knicks, have to “fall in love with being uncomfortable” to get where he wants them to go. A gold chain was the only flash. His sneakers were a throwback: the Nike Air Zoom Generation 1 “First Game,” his first signature shoe.

Understand that the noise is going to be the noise. What happens outside of this building is going to consistently happen, and it’s going to be doubled and triple and quadrupled down on you. It just comes with the territory.

LeBron James, AP via NBA.com

The team’s Blue-White scrimmage on Saturday (Oct. 3) drew nearly 10,000 fans, and it produced the week’s best clip: James taking care of teammate Tyrese Maxey’s baby daughter, Marvel, during the game. The NBA reposted it with a nod to “Uncle Bron,” Complex reports.

The season opens Oct. 20

Philadelphia’s first real test is a big one. The NBA announced that the Knicks will host the 76ers on opening night, Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Before tip-off, New York raises its first championship banner in 53 years. It’s the middle game of a tripleheader: the Celtics visit the Pistons at 3 p.m., and the Spurs host the Thunder in a Western Conference finals rematch at 9:30 p.m., per Field Level Media. That last game features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who designed his own next sneaker.

James and Jaylen Brown, the other big addition in Philadelphia, make their home debut at Xfinity Mobile Arena two nights later against the Cavaliers. On Christmas Day the 76ers visit the Lakers, the team he left, where his son Bronny still plays.