LeBron James kept getting into it with the raucous New York Knicks fanbase during his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers.
James is hoping to be the piece that can help the 76ers end a 44-year wait for an NBA Championship, joining the team over the offseason after his original plans to join the Knicks after they lost the NBA Finals were ruined by their title-winning season.
Now, James is facing a lot of vitriol from Knicks fans in MSG for his 76ers debut on opening night. However, despite getting hate from certain fanbases throughout his entire career, LeBron made one Knicks fan choose his words carefully.
LeBron James calls out an ignorant Knicks fan for thinking he is from Los Angeles
A courtside Knicks fan was trash-talking LeBron during the first half of this opening night clash, implying James is from the West Coast, which led to the 41-year-old putting the fan in his place.
“You don’t know what the — you talkin about? I’m not from the West Coast; I’m from Ohio, baby. Ay… —- you talking about?”
Fans loved seeing LeBron stand up for himself against this crowd, especially after the hostile treatment they had given James since the start of this game.
“My (GOAT) standing on business,” said one happy LeBron fan.
“He’s playing in NY, I hope he realises that we don’t recognise that fake tough guy act,” said one angry LeBron hater.
“Bron getting to that age where he just might slap a fan. They better chill on unc,” joked a fan, warning that LeBron is far too old to tolerate childish courtside heckling.
“Surprised Bron didn’t get the fan kicked out,” said another fan.
“I know we all have different definitions of ‘standing on business,’ but flexing you’re from Ohio and not the West Coast after leaving Cleveland to play for the Los Angeles Lakers is not my definition of it,” said another fan who did not enjoy LeBron’s response.
LeBron put up 11 points, four rebounds, and six assists through the first three quarters of this clash, getting visibly more aggressive after this interaction and scoring six points in the third quarter.
The only way to shut down the Knicks fans who are hating on him is for James to play a huge role in the fourth quarter and ensure that New York’s ring night is dampened by a loss to potentially their biggest rivals this season.
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