LeBron James on 76ers' Debut

Cameron Kelly Published: Sep 28 2026 22:28

On Monday, September 28, LeBron James took the podium for his first media day as a Philadelphia 76er.

Addressing a packed room of media members, James cut straight to the core of what his arrival means for a city hungry for a championship.

He spoke about the effort required from the team, noting that every person a part of the franchise shares the same goal and is fully committed to doing the work necessary to reach it.

During LeBron's free agency the sports world went into a frenzy trying to guess where the King would land. As it turns out, LeBron narrowed it down to five franchises.

Why Philadelphia?

The decision left many people wondering what tipped the scales toward the 76ers? It turns out, a lot of late-night phone calls with a certain All-Star guard.

LeBron shared that his relationship with Tyrese Maxey was a factor in his decision:

I kind of picked his brain a lot not only where he sees his career going, but how he see the franchise here, how much he believes in the franchise, and if I was to come here, how does he see me fitting in?

That's not the only thing that LeBron had in mind when choosing the Sixers, he also thought back on his own career playing under the wing of veterans like Shaquille O'Neal.

Having shared the floor with Joel Embiid during the 2024 Paris Olympics, LeBron knows firsthand how dominant the big man can be. Now, his mission is to help keep Embiid healthy and unlock his full potential.

Embracing the City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia is known for its passionate fans, who have no problem letting players hear it when things aren't going well. While some athletes crumble under that kind of pressure, LeBron thrives on it.

They know sports, they know ball. And if you're not doing what you're supposed to do, they're going to let you hear it. And I'm excited about that. It's a sports town... I've been doing this for 23 years now, and I actually came here in high school as well and played at the Palestra... I'm happy to be on this side though.

If there's one major takeaway from LeBron's first media day in Philly, it's that he's here to grind.

I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round. I know that for sure."

Whatever role the 76ers need the veteran to take on the floor, James is prepared to embrace it. Noting that building chemistry, embracing sacrifices, and working together will be essential as the 76ers look to make a deep postseason run.