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LeBron James begins his record 24th NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers, facing the reigning champion New York Knicks. The move has generated significant excitement in Philadelphia, with James commuting via a Fanatics-funded helicopter.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
LeBron James is set to open his record 24th NBA season on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, wearing No. 23 for the Philadelphia 76ers. The game against the New York Knicks marks James' debut with Philadelphia after ending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Knicks will raise their championship banner, the spotlight will also focus on James as he joins a new roster aiming for the franchise's first title since 1983.
The 76ers have assembled a potent lineup for the 2026-27 season, featuring James alongside fellow all-star newcomer Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. The combination of players who have previously served as primary ball handlers has raised questions about team dynamics and role distribution.
"We're just getting together," James said after the Sixers' pre-season finale. "It's not going to be perfect. We've got some things to build on."
The off-season has brought a surge of excitement to Philadelphia. James jerseys have sold rapidly, murals of the player have appeared across the city, and his public scrimmage drew more than 10,000 fans. Preseason games also sold out.
Knicks coach Mike Brown, who coached James with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 through 2010, commented on James' longevity.
"Year 24 is insane," Brown said. "It’s unheard of. It’s not human. People talk about (Victor Wembanyama) being not human because of what he can do for his size. You kind of throw LeBron in that category because of his durability and still doing it at the age that he has at a high level. It’s amazing to watch."
James has chosen to reside in New York City, commuting to Philadelphia for team activities. To facilitate this, he utilizes a Fanatics-branded helicopter for the roughly 40-minute, one-way trip. Fanatics, founded by former 76ers minority owner Michael Rubin, covers the costs associated with this transportation.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed concerns regarding the arrangement, stating it was "perfectly appropriate." Silver clarified that because the deal is strictly between Fanatics and James, with no team involvement, there is no salary cap circumvention issue.
"He has a deal with Fanatics," Silver said. "... Part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever."
James described the helicopter as "just another way of transportation."
"That’s all," James added.
According to multiple reports, James' estimated commute costs for Sixers home games are expected to total just under $1 million this season, depending on usage. The Athletic calculated that flying James to and from 41 home games at $4,000 per flight would create a $328,000 tab, though this figure excludes practice trips and potential cancellations.
James is already the NBA’s career scoring leader and holds records for games, minutes, field goals, and field goals attempted. He is a four-time NBA champion with three different teams. His agent, Rich Paul, noted over the summer that the Knicks would have been James' first choice in free agency had New York not won its first NBA championship since 1973 last season.
The 76ers' move to sign James has made them the betting favorite out of the Eastern Conference, according to reports. The team's home opener is scheduled for Thursday against Cleveland.
Rubin, who sold his estimated 10% stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in 2022 to avoid conflicts with his business ventures, remains a self-described "life-long fan" of the team. The ownership group he was part of purchased the 76ers for an estimated $290 million in 2011.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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