LeBron James 'had visions' of joining Knicks over 76ers but changed mind after they won NBA championship
LeBron James spoke for the first time Monday in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform but revealed that he initially had dreams of playing for the franchise's heated rival.
James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin at 76ers media day Monday that he had "visions" of joining the New York Knicks but that he "couldn't do it" after they won the NBA title last season.
"I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden," James said, per McMenamin. "One of the best places I've ever played.
"I think it's the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, 'Hey, I can't.' I couldn't do it."
James cited anticipated media backlash over joining a title team as his specific reason for ruling the Knicks out.
"Y'all wouldn't have let me lay that down, at all," James said, per McMenamin.
James, of course, instead opted to join the 76ers in pursuit of his fifth NBA title. He left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons with the franchise that featured an NBA championship in 2020.
James joins a revamped Philadelphia core that also features five-time All-Star and former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, whom the 76ers acquired in a trade from the rival Boston Celtics in the offseason. James and Brown join a starting lineup that already features All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, former MVP center Joel Embiid and rising star guard VJ Edgecombe, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season.
James made clear on Monday that his goal in joining the 76ers is to win NBA championships.
'I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round,"
James joined the 76ers on a significant discount via a two-year, $7.9 million contract.
