In Philadelphia, profane shock and exultant joy over LeBron James: ‘He chose us’

PHILADELPHIA — Within seconds of the basketball news of the summer breaking, my friend Stephen Piña — a lifelong Sixers fan — called my phone. I couldn’t answer. Like almost every other NBA journalist Friday morning, I was trying to gather details on LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

As I checked in with my editors, I looked at my phone again. I had 138 text messages. My basketball-agnostic wife was in our family living room screaming like her favorite team had won it all. My daughter was asking about tickets to a game. And Steve was still calling.

I finally answered.

Steve, who grew up with me in Center City and also worked in basketball, was mid-sentence: “Why didn’t you tell me LeBron was coming to Philly? You think we can win it?”

“Steve, it’s July,” I responded. “I gotta write, bro.”

The seismic impact of LeBron picking Philly continues to ripple through the sports town and region. Local restaurants have promised him free ribs and named cheesesteaks in his honor. His new teammate VJ Edgecombe recreated the famous LeBron “I can’t believe this is my life” meme, while Tyrese Maxey posted from the weight room, repeatedly yelling, “What?!” Tickets to games have reportedly quadrupled in price. Social media exploded with stories of glee, even emanating from funeral services.

“He chose us,” former NBA player Alvin Williams told The Athletic. Williams was once the best high school point guard in the city at Germantown Academy, a member of the famed “Fab Five” 1993 high school class that included Rasheed Wallace and former Sixer Marc Jackson. Williams went on to star at Villanova before having a productive NBA career and currently works in television for the Toronto Raptors, the team he primarily played for.

He was in Chicago when he heard the news. Two days later, he was still processing James’ decision.

“Superstars don’t usually choose Philadelphia,” Williams continued. “So, just from that alone, this means a lot. We’re a proud city, and we embrace those who embrace us. If this goes well, he will have a lot to gain.”

Many others expressed outright shock that James decided to come to Philadelphia. Comedian Kevin Hart, a Philly native, posted an expletive-filled video in celebration, shouting out his, “brother for making the right choice, for making the best choice.” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, perhaps the best woman basketball player to come out of the city, posted on social media right after the announcement: “We got the king, y’all,” before offering to help James’ young daughter find a local school.

Former NBA shooting guard Cuttino Mobley, a Philly legend at Cardinal Dougherty, the same school Kyle Lowry attended, went on Instagram and promised he would be flying home for more games this season. Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce, filming live, was stunned into silence. In South New Jersey, Camden High School’s football team celebrated in unison.

“It’s one of the biggest moments in the history of the city,” Williams said — which is saying something for a city known for history.

James’ decision brings risk and reward to a city that essentially promised on Friday to ride the wave with him, no matter what.

As good as James was with the Lakers in Los Angeles, it’s a place that never fully embraced him. Yes, James brought the franchise its 17th NBA championship with that dominant 2020 team. But there was still a lack of acceptance that was always slightly beneath the surface of all the success. As good as James was as a Laker, he could never mean as much to them as Magic Johnson. He would never be Kobe Bryant, homegrown and in purple and gold his entire career. By the time James matriculated to Los Angeles, he was with his third franchise.

It won’t be like that for James in Philadelphia. Not even close. Immediately after the announcement, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, himself a longtime Sixers fan, took to X and proclaimed Friday as LeBron James Day. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker posted on Instagram: “In Philadelphia, we don’t just welcome you to a city — we welcome you into our One Philly Family with open arms and electric energy!”

When James made his announcement on Instagram, he did so to the backdrop of Meek Mill’s Philly anthem “Dreams and Nightmares.” For the first time since Allen Iverson was here, the 76ers will have the complete attention of the city.

It’s ironic, of course, that James leaves behind the Lakers to come to the city that raised Bryant. Sure, Bryant left Lower Merion High and went straight to the Lakers, where he went on to win five NBA titles. But he grew up here, and people will never forget him.

“Kobe did a lot for the city, even when he turned pro,” said Michael Jordan, the former University of Pennsylvania star (not the Chicago Bulls legend). “For LeBron to come here and have a chance to have a big impact is huge. Just him choosing the Sixers has a chance to bring the city together. It’s huge that he’s going to be a Sixer.”

For so long, the Sixers have drawn something close to apathy. There hasn’t been a trip beyond the second round of the playoffs in star center Joel Embiid’s career. There hasn’t been an NBA Finals appearance since 2001, when Iverson was the league’s MVP. There hasn’t been an NBA championship since 1983.

Even if last season featured the surprise series win over the Boston Celtics, the second-round sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks was about as embarrassing as you can get. Knicks fans took over Philly’s home arena in Games 3 and 4, despite Embiid pleading with Sixers fans to not let it happen. Knicks guard Josh Hart, who won a national championship at Villanova, rubbed salt in the wound afterward, saying, “I used to think Philly was a sports town. I don’t know if it is anymore.”

Hart said that just over two months ago. And yet, LeBron looked at these Sixers — and this city — and decided this was a worthwhile challenge for his final act.

The man he’s so often compared to, Michael Jordan, was in his Washington Wizards era by this stage, comparatively (plus his final season came at age 39). James is still an All-Star as he nears 42. And, unlike Jordan with the Wizards, James has a chance to win here.

That’s what LeBron will be chasing. The chance to be the first player to win a ring with four franchises. Going after one more with a hardcore sports city in desperate need of an NBA title.

If he wins big, Philadelphia will back him unlike anything James has seen outside of Cleveland. He has two seasons to make Philly his town. He has a chance to etch himself into Philadelphia sports lore — along with the Big Dipper, Concrete Charlie and Smokin’ Joe — by bringing the Sixers to a place they haven’t been in more than four decades.

And if he accomplishes that, James will never have to pay for a cheesesteak again in his life.