Philadelphia 76ers

The Return of the King goes down on Christmas Day this NBA season ... so how should Lakers fans treat LeBron James after he bolted for the Sixers??

If ya ask Magic Johnson, he says hold the boos -- show the four-time champion some love!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the Hall of Famer and Lakers legend outside "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Tuesday ... and had to get his thoughts on the big matchup going down on December 25.

LeBron James bypassed a reunion with his hometown team for a new opportunity with the 76ers ... so how should Cavaliers fans feel about the rejection?? Ex-NBA star and Cleveland native Charles Oakley says they should GET OVER IT!!

TMZ Sports caught up with Oak at the 17th Annual Amazon Kids Back-to-School Fashion Show in NYC on Thursday ... and asked him all about the 41-year-old King's latest decision to join a fourth franchise.

The Knicks great shut down any criticism about James heading to the City of Brotherly Love in pursuit of more rings ... saying what he's doing this late in his career should be admired -- and he's still a role model to young kids.

Before LeBron James wins a ring, he could be in one in Philadelphia ... 'cause King James just got a special invite from TNA star Nic Nemeth, as the wrestling promotion pulls up to the City of Brotherly Love!

TNA is formally asking the new Philadelphia 76ers superstar to be the Official Title Holder for Thursday night's World Championship match between Nemeth and Jeff Hardy on the Temple University campus.

The plan is simple ... Bron shows up ringside and puts the belt on the champ after the match.

LeBron James will be getting some royal treatment from a couple of iconic Philly spots ... with a pair of cheesesteak pads promising to roll out the cheese whiz-colored carpet for King James ... now that he's joining the city's NBA team.

Over at the iconic Pat’s King of Steaks, they're temporarily changing up how their customers order their fan-beloved Whiz Wit to reflect the new king in town, naming it "The King’s Way." The OG Whiz Wit will keep its classic ingredients: cheese Whiz with onions on juicy steak ... so no worries, there.

Frank Olivieri, third-generation owner of Pat's tells TMZ... “Everyone knows there’s only one way to order the classic, and now there’s a new way to say it. When you come to the window and ask for The King’s Way, we’ll know exactly what you mean.”

Meanwhile, Geno's Steaks has promised a meal fit for King James in the establishment's coveted VIP booth ... as well as a lesson with Geno himself on how to grill up some of the finest cheesesteaks the City of Brotherly Love has to offer.

President Geno Vento tells TMZ... "Our VIP booth – the hardest seat in Philadelphia to get – already has LeBron's name on it. Whenever he's ready, we'll welcome him with a cheesesteak, hand him the spatula, and even let him spend some time behind the grill for a little cheesesteak 101 with me personally. Every Philadelphia legend has a story at Geno's, and we'd love for LeBron's to begin here."

Now that LeBron James is heading to Philly, should Bronny follow his pops?? Devean George tells TMZ Sports he's against the idea ... 'cause now's the time to see what the young hooper can do on his own.

We caught up with the three-peat Lakers alum this week -- prior to the King's shocking 76ers announcement -- and asked about the Bronny situation with No. 23 no longer on the squad.

He said if the Lakers really feel like Bronny is an asset, they should prove it by putting him out on the court.

LeBron James is now a Philadelphia 76er ... but President Donald Trump believes he's "maybe" more of a racist.

The Commander in Chief made the shocking claim about the face of the NBA right from the Oval Office on Friday ... when well-known White House reporter Peter Doocy asked for his stance on the greatest G.O.A.T. debate in sports -- Michael Jordan or LeBron James??

Trump's answer had nothing to do with rings, points, or even talent for that matter ... but one thing in particular that doesn't show up on any box score -- friendship.

"Well, Michael Jordan's a guy that's a friend of mine. Play golf with him. He's a really good guy."

Then came his take on LeBron James the person.

LeBron James has made his decision -- he's joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

The announcement came down on Friday via X ... with James explaining why he's going to the City of Brotherly Love after initially contemplating retirement.

"I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game," James said seconds ago. "I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give."

It sure seems like LeBron James was going to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers all along ... 'cause the King's comments from last week are resurfacing on Friday -- and it couldn't have been more obvious.

James made a number of podcast appearances during Fanatics Fest in NYC ... and during a live episode of "Mind The Game," his guest co-host Tyrese Haliburton had an interesting way to ask a question about his career.

"What are you going on, year 76??" Hali asked. The four-time champion joked it was more like year 79 ... and the two continued with the chat. Chances are Haliburton was in the know prior to taking the stage, as James even admitted they addressed the topic beforehand.

LeBron James still has the NBA in a holding pattern as he ponders his next move ... but Paul Pierce tells TMZ Sports the answer is simple -- go home!

The rumor mill is still swirling weeks after the 4x NBA champ parted ways with the Lakers and it seems as if The King has narrowed down his next kingdom to the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and of course, his old team (twice removed), the Cleveland Cavaliers.

We chopped it up with The Truth at Derek Fisher's 3rd Annual Be Better Foundation Celebrity Golf tourney, and asked him where he would like to see LeBron go.

Jaylen Brown is speaking out on getting shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers ... and he seemingly took a shot at the Boston Celtics in the process.

The 2024 NBA Finals MVP released a statement on Thursday ... admitting he's still trying to wrap his head around what just happened.

Brown was traded on Wednesday in exchange for Paul George and draft picks ... a transaction that's being viewed as pretty one-sided and a steal for the Sixers.

Philadelphia 76ers hooper V.J. Edgecombe put it all on the line Sunday night ... 'cause at one point in the game, he dove head-first into the stands to keep a ball in play ... but he accidentally kicked a woman right in the kisser in the process.

It all went down as the 76ers were taking on the Boston Celtics in Beantown. As Edgecombe attempted to save the rock from going out of bounds, he launched into the fans sitting courtside, with his left foot catching a poor woman as he flew over her.

The 20-year-old was quick to check in on the lady, with cameras catching the two embracing before he made his way back to the floor. While the woman seemed to be taking it in stride, she did have a mark left on the right side from the shoe.

The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers power forward Paul George for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug program, the NBA announced Saturday.

His suspension begins immediately and will bench him for Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

George said the situation is a big mix-up in a statement to ESPN, but is taking full responsibility for the error. He explained ... "Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication."

Allen Iverson is offering up NBA advice to Cooper Flagg ... and as a former No. 1 overall pick who went on to become a Hall of Famer -- the Dallas Mavericks star sure would be wise to listen up!!

The Answer doled out several tips to this year's top draft selection while chatting with TMZ Sports just before Flagg's Wednesday night debut.

Iverson's first bit of guidance was straightforward ... as he implored Flagg to take things "one day at a time."

Philadelphia 76ers forward Adem Bona learned the hard way to listen to his teammates ... 'cause his actions led to a car full of popcorn!!

The squad's veteran center, Andre Drummond, showed off the damage of the classic prank in a TikTok on Thursday -- Bona's Genesis was filled to the brim with some popped kernels ... and one of his tires was placed in front of his locker.

So, what did the 22-year-old do to deserve this?? Drummond claims Bona was told "to get off the table" and he needed to learn to "follow instructions."

NBA superstar Joel Embiid was ejected from a game Monday night ... after he relentlessly screamed in the face of a female ref.

The unnerving scene went down in the second quarter of the 76ers' tilt with the San Antonio Spurs ... after Embiid was whistled for an offensive foul.

The Philadelphia big man, wearing a mask to protect a sinus injury he suffered earlier this month, was so livid over the call, he raced to Jenna Schroeder and began melting down. He yelled at the woman repeatedly -- at one point getting mere inches from her nose.