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  • ‘Definitely championship or bust’: What Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, NBA legends and media stars said about LeBron to the Sixers

    ‘Definitely championship or bust’: What Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, NBA legends and media stars said about LeBron to the Sixers

    LeBron James suiting up for the Sixers? Now, more than three weeks after the opening of NBA free agency, that idea is a reality.

    The news broke Friday morning with essentially no warning. James himself announced the signing on his X account, and a storm of takes ensued.

    ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said the move makes Philadelphia a legitimate championship threat. Perkins and James played together for the 2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers, who fell to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. With an existing core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and the recently acquired Jaylen Brown, Perkins believes that adding James will put Philadelphia over the top.

    “The Philadelphia 76ers, with LeBron James, can win the championship this year with this roster,” Perkins said. “The teams that he won a championship with, they had dogs … this is what [the Sixers] have.”

    Hall of Famer Vince Carter was equally high on the Sixers’ latest signing, calling his presence on an already talented roster “cheating.” Like James, who is entering his 24th NBA season, Carter played well into his 40s, with a career spanning from the 1998-99 season to 2019-20. But while the No. 5 overall pick in 1998 didn’t win an NBA title in his 22-season career, James is aiming for his fifth championship and to become the first player to win one with four teams.

    Not lost in the madness were the other teams in contention to sign James. Before Friday’s announcement, the Sixers were ranked No. 4 across prediction markets, trailing the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Heat in likelihood to sign James. Days ago, Miami posted the link to a livestream to formally introduce James, which it said was accidental. But many fans believed the accident was the stream being leaked early, not that James wasn’t signing in Miami.

    Podcast host Dan Le Batard said he was confident in James heading back to Miami from the start.

    “I’m just now beginning to get the texts that the Heat are curious how it is that the Sixers did this,” Le Batard said. “I think a whole lot of people are surprised that it happened at all, even though Philadelphia was always in the conversation … nobody thought that he would trust Joel Embiid’s health as the punctuation on his career.”

    Another factor that surprised Le Batard was financial. He said sources had told him Miami’s offer to James was for double the money.

    Friday morning’s news was equally as shocking to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who thought the Akron, Ohio, native would return to his home state and the Cleveland Cavaliers for his third stint.

    “I thought that if he was going back East, he would go home, that he wouldn’t dangle his availability in the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers and then go somewhere else,” said Smith, a former Inquirer columnist. “For him to choose the Philadelphia 76ers, this is a shock among shockers.”

    Smith’s thought process was one shared by many who assumed James desired a “storybook ending” with his last team. The 41-year-old grew up about 40 miles from Cleveland, was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers, spent 11 seasons with the team, and brought the franchise its only championship. And yet, Philadelphia prevailed.

    “This speaks to Bob Myers, the architect, the former four-time championship executive for the Golden State Warriors,” Smith said.

    Myers, who is president of sports at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, led the search for the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, following the firing of former executive Daryl Morey. Myers hired former Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey at the end of May, and remains involved in what he called “high-level decision making.”

    Signing James certainly qualifies.

    Later Friday, Smith hosted Sixers legend Allen Iverson on his radio show. The 11-time All-Star and Hall of Famer was enthusiastic about his former team’s chances with the addition of James.

    “Definitely championship or bust, man. I mean, that’s the added piece,” Iverson said. “Obviously, you put him on any team … you definitely have a chance.”

    One concern Iverson had was the team’s health. Embiid has played in just 96 of 246 possible games over the past three seasons, and the team generally has struggled in his absence. Nearing age 42, James’ health is no certainty either. But Iverson believes adding James to an already potent core gives the Sixers a great chance to thrive and potentially return to the Finals for the first time since Iverson’s MVP season of 2000-01.

    “He just boosts the percentage of any team having a chance to win the championship,” he said.

    Iverson wasn’t the only former Sixer who Smith hosted. Charles Barkley also chimed in, but he said he was disappointed that James signed with his former team.

    “I wanted him to go back to Cleveland. I mean, he has no affiliation with the 76ers,” Barkley said.

    As for why James decided to sign with Philadelphia, Barkley believes it had to do with the other big Gansey/Myers move this offseason — the trade for Jaylen Brown. The former Celtic averaged 28.7 points last season and was Finals MVP in 2023-24.

    “I have no idea what the Celtics [were thinking], trading a great player like Jaylen, someone they got to play against five times a year … but this move makes the Sixers the team to beat in the East,” he said.

  • Everything you need to know about LeBron James signing with the Sixers: Debut, merch, championship odds, and more

    Everything you need to know about LeBron James signing with the Sixers: Debut, merch, championship odds, and more

    After weeks of speculation, LeBron James made his “last decision” on Friday morning and announced that he would be joining the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract. The news comes just one week after an appearance at Fanatics Fest, where the 22-time All-Star said he wanted to play for a team that “trusts the process.”

    James joins a team that acquired All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown roughly three weeks ago. Ahead of James’ arrival in the City of Brotherly Love, here’s everything you need to know — from when he could make his Sixers debut to his current connections to the city:

    How did the Sixers land LeBron?

    James’ agent and longtime friend Rich Paul said on his Game Over podcast that “everything changed” when the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown on July 1, one day after James informed the Lakers that he’d be entering free agency.

    The Sixers suddenly found themselves among the reported top three destinations for the future Hall of Famer, but many believed them to be a distant third to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, two of James’ former homes where he also won NBA titles. But after many twists and turns and hints that may or may not have actually been hints — you can get the full play-by-play here — James ultimately decided to bring his talents to Philly.

    Recapping King James’ free agency twists and turns that led to the Sixers

    When will LeBron debut?

    We’re currently still waiting for the release of the Sixers’ 2026-27 schedule.

    NBA commissioner Adam Silver delayed the release of the schedule with the NBA world on hold, waiting for James’ free agency decision. But on Monday, some of the Sixers preseason schedule was revealed: two games against the Boston Celtics.

    On Oct. 10 (8 p.m.), they’ll travel to TD Garden. And on Oct. 16 (7 p.m.), they will host the Celtics at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. James can choose to play in preseason or opt out and wait for the regular season.

    The four-time NBA champion has played preseason games in the past but opted out last year when he also missed 14 regular season games with sciatica.

    LeBron chose the hard, dramatic path when he picked the Sixers. Get ready for a wild ride, Philly. | Mike Sielski

    How will he fit into the lineup?

    James will join a team that includes former league MVP Joel Embiid, two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, rising star V.J. Edgecombe, and five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown, whom the team acquired in a blockbuster trade in July.

    Adding the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer, who’s the NBA’s all-time leader in points, a four-time MVP, and a four-time NBA champion, makes these Sixers a true title contender.

    Here’s a look at the projected depth chart:

    Sixers championship odds

    Since the decision, the Sixers title odds have improved from +2000, according to Sports Illustrated on July 20, to +900.

    Here are the current odds, according to DraftKings.

    Where to get merch?

    Fanatics already was selling LeBron James Sixers merch — and they sold out fast.

    The No. 23 royal blue Swingman jersey, which was listed at $124.99, was sold out by 1:40 p.m., Philadelphia time. A James royal blue Fast Break jersey, listed for $79.99, also will be available to preorder.

    A signed James 2026-27 Topps trading card, which was featured on James’ Instagram after the announcement, also is available to purchase through Fanatics. The cards are selling for between $11.99 for a single card and $169.99 for a 20-pack.

    Brandon Williams, Fanatics’ vice president for global communications, said more merchandise will be added. Meanwhile, Rally House was letting customers preorder a royal blue James T-shirt for $37 on Friday afternoon. The shirt will ship Aug. 31.

    LeBron James Sixers jerseys are already selling out on Fanatics

    Does LeBron have any Philly ties?

    Throughout roughly three weeks of speculating where King James would land, notable Philly figures did everything in their power to pitch him on Philly — including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, popular streamer iShowSpeed, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean.

    In the end, it paid off.

    Philly may have been the biggest surprise, compared to some of the other teams on the top of James’ free agency list — his former teams in the Miami Heat and hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

    But James also has ties to Philly that go beyond Phillies star Bryce Harper recreating his famous “Chosen One” Sports Illustrated cover.

    He also has ties to some key figures within the Sixers organization, including co-owner David Blitzer.

    Mike Gansey

    James has ties to multiple people in the Sixers organization, including Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey. Gansey’s younger brother, Steve, posted a photo of the two Ohio natives standing side by side in high school.

    Gansey finished as runner-up to James in the 2001 Mr. Ohio Basketball race.

    Before Mike Gansey became a Sixers executive, he was a hard-nosed high school player who earned LeBron James’ respect

    Tyrese Maxey

    James also is close to Maxey through agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.

    “A key factor in any sort of Philadelphia pursuit of LeBron is Tyrese Maxey. That is not only because of his talent, which is awesome, but he’s one of Klutch’s core clients,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “He’s basically a part of LeBron’s extended family, so you would not only have Jaylen Brown as the addition, you would have Tyrese Maxey as your drawing card.”

    Maxey has referred previously to James as his “big brother.” They also train together every summer. In December, James had a lot of high praise for the 25 year old.

    “I love the success and the humbleness that Tyrese does it at,” James told NBC Sports Philadelphia in December. “It starts with his family, and, you know, he’s just taking full advantage of the opportunity here. And he’s made the most of it. … Obviously, I love his game. But I love him the person more, than even his game and that’s, you know, that’s tough to do as great as he is on the court.

    Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown

    James has history with other Sixers, too, notably Embiid and Brown. Embiid and James played on the USA Basketball team that competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Embiid committed to play for Team USA, turning down the opportunity to play for Cameroon or France, and won gold with the Americans.

    Meanwhile, Brown and James have a more controversial history. During a 2024 summer league game, Brown was spotted in the crowd saying, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” James later responded to the comments.

    Were the Sixers close to landing James in the past?

    The Sixers and James were in talks the last time he was seeking a new team, in 2018. Leading up to his decision, the Sixers went all-out to campaign for the superstar, and even Embiid turned to social media to make his own pitch.

    Ultimately, he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers — claiming he chose the Lakers over the Sixers and Houston Rockets to help cement his legacy as a great.

    The 2018 tweet wasn’t Embiid’s first time chatting up a fellow star on the platform. In 2014, he also tagged James, who ultimately chose a return to Cleveland.

  • Philly fans and officials celebrate the reign of King James as the Sixers sign a superstar

    Philly fans and officials celebrate the reign of King James as the Sixers sign a superstar

    Philadelphia is now officially under the rule of King James. And his newly minted subjects, it seems, couldn’t be happier.

    LeBron James, the legendary NBA player and one of the most famous humans on the planet, is coming to Philly after having agreed to a two-year contract with the Sixers on Friday. The move, though one of the more improbable roster additions in franchise history, is real — and officially commemorated at the highest levels of state government.

    “Pennsylvania is honored to welcome LeBron James to our Commonwealth as he joins the Philadelphia 76ers for his best season yet,” Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a proclamation declaring Friday, July 24, 2026, as LeBron James Day. The day, he added, would honor James’ “bright future in Philadelphia,” among other achievements and anticipations.

    Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker likewise welcomed the news, writing in a statement that the city would welcome James “into our One Philly Family with open arms and electric energy.”

    “Trust me when I say: We are rolling out the welcoming mat starting Day One!” Parker said. “We cannot wait to see you shine on the court.”

    Though months away from that debut on the court as a Sixer, James’ arrival to the team prompted a flurry of shock and support from fans and players alike, with seemingly every local establishment, institution, and celebrity offering a meme or message of disbelief. In fact, Philly’s pro athletes seemed among the most excited about James coming to town.

    Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, for example, almost immediately extended a golf invite to James after the news broke, asking via social media when the forthcoming Sixer wanted to “tee up.” Sixers point guard Tyrese Maxey had a more primal reaction, simply posting a video of him screaming in excitement in a gym.

    James himself, meanwhile, was more staid in explaining his decision via social media. After nearly two-dozen seasons in the NBA, James wrote, he thought he was done playing, but decided he continued to love the game and had more to give.

    “I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship,” James wrote. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”

    How LeBron landed in Philly: Recapping King James’ free agency twists and turns that led to the Sixers

    Some Sixers fans were beside themselves, with at least one ordering a Chantilly cake from Whole Foods to celebrate. Lydia Victor, a Northeast Philly graphic designer and sports content creator, had the bakery write “Trust the Process 23” in red frosting on top of the confection, and planned to cut it later in the day with her father, who went to college in Ohio, and is James’ biggest fan, she said.

    Whether a James-led Sixers squad can actually win a championship was almost inconsequential Friday, though Victor already was designing plans to celebrate on Broad Street. The fact that James chose Philadelphia brought her more happiness than a championship (or potentially getting married or having kids) might. She likened the moment to Meredith Grey’s iconic monologue in the TV show Grey’s Anatomy imploring Derek Shepherd to choose her.

    “It’s just the mindset that Philly isn’t always considered a big market and the national media usually counts us out when it comes to acquiring big-name free agents,” she said. But this time, things were different.

    “We were picked!” she said.

    Darnell Butts, 56, said there’s no way the Sixers would have landed James had former general manager Daryl Morey still been in charge. Butts was optimistic about the Sixers’ championship chances, and excited for the team’s younger stars to learn from a player he calls the greatest of all time. Butts said he wants to welcome James in Philly fashion.

    “Get a Philly cheesesteak, it’s on Darnell Butts. Meet me at Reading Terminal,” he said.

    The historic nature of the day was seemingly reflected in professional sports’ enduring fan barometer — merchandise sales. By early Friday afternoon, Fanatics said it was already sold out of some Sixers-branded James jerseys.

    Within two hours of the news breaking, all first editions of the No. 23 jerseys were sold out on the Fanatics website. The adult royal blue, white, and red Swingman premium jerseys had been selling for $124.99, in line with the price of similar jerseys for other Sixers stars. Youth jerseys had also been available to preorder for $69.99.

    Fanatics was also selling James’ 2026-2027 Topps trading card, the one he signed and posted on Instagram after announcing his decision to come to Philly. The cards were selling for between $11.99 for a single card and $169.99 for a 20-pack. Fanatics acquired Topps in 2022.

    The company planned to add additional James merchandise in short order Friday.

    LeBron chose the hard, dramatic path when he picked the Sixers. Get ready for a wild ride, Philly.

    July 24, however, would live on as a historic date, some fans said.

    Raymond Davis took the train into 30th Street Station to play basketball at Schuylkill River Park. Before leaving his home in Mount Airy, he put on his Tyrese Maxey jersey to hoop in — not knowing James would sign with his favorite team shortly after.

    Davis met up with a few friends on the way to Schuylkill River Park. One of them, Christopher Gaines, was just as excited as Davis and ready to write the day down in history books.

    “The king of basketball’s coming to Philly — the city of sports — and this is like a great day, a great moment,” Davis said. “You know what? July 24, I will always remember as ‘King Bron Day’ — the day LeBron came to Philly.”

    Staff writers Gabriela Carroll, Erin McCarthy, Gina Mizell, Matt Mullin, and Andrea Padilla contributed to this article.

  • LeBron James’ new teammates — and other Philly athletes — react to his signing with Sixers

    LeBron James’ new teammates — and other Philly athletes — react to his signing with Sixers

    Philly’s other pro athletes spent weeks on red carpets, at events, and on podcasts trying to pitch LeBron James on signing with the Sixers. Everyone from Bryce Harper to Cooper DeJean and Saquon Barkley tried to sell him on it.

    And on Friday, James finally announced that he will continue his NBA career in Philadelphia, signing a two-year deal with the Sixers to try and win another championship.

    Despite speculation that Jaylen Brown, whom the Sixers acquired earlier this month, and James might have beef, after Brown said two years ago that he didn’t believe James’ son, Bronny, was a pro, Brown was the first Sixers star to post after the announcement.

    Tyrese Maxey quickly followed, posting a video of himself screaming in celebration at the gym.

    VJ Edgecombe recreated one of James’ most famous Instagram stories.

    Jabari Walker, Dean Wade, and 2026 first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. also posted on Instagram.

    While we’re still waiting on Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 MVP spent much of 2014 on Twitter trying to lobby James to the Sixers. Twelve years later, he finally got his wish.

    The city’s other athletes are reacting, too. Barkley extended a golf invite after Sixers fans spent weeks pondering the locations of James’ golf trips.

    Lane Johnson, Darius Slay, and Abdul Carter were among other athletes with local ties to celebrate the move.

    North Philly native and women’s basketball legend Dawn Staley had to take time away from a scouting trip to record a video celebrating the move.

    Kahleah Copper (also from North Philly) and Caitlin Clark found out at WNBA All-Star Week.

    But some former NBA players were less enthused about James’ fourth decision, including Gilbert Arenas.

    “This don’t look right, I’m sorry. Who is this?” Arenas said. “… Philly? What? I know Savannah didn’t approve this. Nobody approved him going to Philly.”

    Dwight Howard posted encouraging the Sixers to complete the team with Ben Simmons, who said he plans to return to the NBA this year. Many fans responded with a famous old Colin Cowherd meme.

  • Jaylen Brown to the Phillies? The Sixers’ new star was spotted playing baseball in the Dominican Republic.

    Jaylen Brown to the Phillies? The Sixers’ new star was spotted playing baseball in the Dominican Republic.

    Between warm nights at Citizens Bank Park and a week of All-Star festivities, it’s a certified baseball summer for Philadelphia. Even Jaylen Brown, one of our area’s newest residents, couldn’t resist America’s pastime.

    Videos of Brown playing baseball in the Dominican Republic circulated Wednesday on social media. Decked out in a La Javilla Academy uniform, the 76ers’ high-profile summer acquisition singled as a chorus of kids chanted “Philadelphia.”

    La Javilla Academy is a prominent baseball facility in Santo Domingo Este. Founded in 1958, the program is run by former MLB player Alberto Castillo and has produced players like New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario.

    Brown seems unable to stay away from a good game, no matter the sport — he also was spotted boxing locals in Morocco this summer.

    The athleticism must run in his blood. Brown recently revealed that he and former Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown are cousins. A.J. Brown, who was traded to the New England Patriots on June 1, has a history with baseball himself; he was drafted in the 19th round the San Diego Padres in 2016 before he decided to focus on football.

    Jaylen Brown is much more well-known for his basketball prowess than his swing, but he looked at home in the batter’s box, soaking up the Dominican Republic’s love for baseball. The 6-foot-6 wing isn’t the first Sixer to pick up a pair of cleats, however.

    Mike Gansey ‘never would have envisioned’ landing Jaylen Brown in his first Sixers offseason

    Mark Hendrickson, who played his rookie season in Philly (1996-97), also was a 10-year MLB veteran as a left-handed pitcher. He was drafted in the 20th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and broke into the majors in 2002, two years after his four-season NBA career ended.

    Could Brown be the Phillies’ solution to that fifth spot in the starting rotation?

    Probably not.

    And as Brown enjoys the offseason, the Sixers still trying to take shape amid free agency as they await a decision by a certain former Laker.

    No matter how things play out, fans will first see Brown in a Sixers jersey in the preseason opener on the road against his old team, the Boston Celtics, on Oct. 10. Boston then will come to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Oct. 16 for another preseason contest.

    Until then, Brown can continue to enjoy the Caribbean and practice his swing instead of his shot.

  • Jalen Hurts isn’t top 10 at his position — but plenty of other Eagles are. Here’s what they’re saying ahead of training camp.

    Jalen Hurts isn’t top 10 at his position — but plenty of other Eagles are. Here’s what they’re saying ahead of training camp.

    Now that Philadelphia has wrapped up one of its busiest summers in sports — the area hosted the PGA Championship, MLB All-Star festivities, and FIFA World Cup games — we can finally take a breath, Philadelphia Stadium can again be known as Lincoln Financial Field, and Philly sports fans can turn their full attention toward the Eagles.

    And with training camp starting next week, there still are several concerns surrounding the Super Bowl LIX champions. Here’s everything the national media is saying about the Birds entering training camp:

    Is Jalen Hurts a top-10 quarterback?

    ESPN recently asked league executives, coaches, and scouts to rank NFL players by position. Eight Eagles made their respective top 10s: Saquon Barkley (running back), Quinyon Mitchell (cornerback), Cooper DeJean (cornerback), Jalen Carter (defensive tackle), Jordan Davis (defensive tackle), Jordan Mailata (offensive tackle), Lane Johnson (offensive tackle), and Zack Baun (off-ball linebacker).

    But a major name didn’t make his list — Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts. Hurts was beaten out by the likes of Dak Prescott, Drake Maye, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams for a spot on the list.

    Hurts was honorable mention along with Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, and Jayden Daniels. And this isn’t the first time he’s been snubbed in rankings — he was No. 9 in last year’s ESPN rankings and wasn’t even mentioned in SB Nation’s top 10 list.

    Nick Sirianni’s ability to adapt again will be put to the test with the Eagles

    ‘Jalen Hurts best football is ahead of him’

    Despite ESPN not naming Hurts a top 10 quarterback, former NFL linebacker Manti Te’o has faith that fans will see an even better player under center this season — especially under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

    “Jalen Hurts is at his best when Saquon, in 2024, was running crazy. When he was almost about to break Eric Dickerson’s record, when he was jumping over people backward,” said Te’o, who’s now a host on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “That is when Jalen Hurts is at his best. Sean Mannion is going to go back to that. Sean Mannion’s going to put Jalen Hurts under center and he’s going to hand the ball off to Saquon Barkley. And guess what’s going to happen after that? He’s going to do what Jalen Hurts does best. And that’s get Jalen outside of the pocket and throw the ball deep down field.”

    Leaning on running back Saquon Barkley will help improve Jalen Hurts’ game and the Eagles’ offense, overall, Manti Te’o argues.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles offense finished 24th in total offense, averaging 311.2 yards per game. The team made a number of changes on that side of the ball entering this season, including hiring Mannion and trading away wide receiver A.J. Brown.

    Why Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata ‘absolutely loves’ the new offensive scheme

    “I also think that having the departure of A.J. Brown could be a good thing for Jalen Hurts,” Te’o said. “Sometimes having a crutch in a wide receiver one limits a quarterback from being an actual quarterback.

    “When you have schemes and plays that are designed specifically to have to go to somebody, it doesn’t give Jalen Hurts the opportunity to be like, ‘Man, let me look at what the defense is actually giving me.’ … I think that Jalen Hurts’ best football is ahead of him, and it could be ahead of him, and should be with someone like Sean Mannion at the helm.”

    ‘[Makai Lemon] fills a lot of the gaps’

    On June 1, the Eagles traded Brown to the New England Patriots in June in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. In April, they selected Southern Cal wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick in the draft.

    According to ESPN analyst Mina Kimes, Lemon will be a perfect fit for an Eagles offense without Brown.

    “I think DeVonta Smith takes more of the A.J. Brown usage, in terms of becoming more of a threat along the perimeter,” Kimes said. “But Makai Lemon is going to be really important because he fills a lot of the gaps that were pretty noticeable last year in the Eagles offense and have been for a while — specifically quick completions against zone coverage and yards after the catch.

    “And I know that doesn’t sound super sexy to fantasy managers or people who think about A.J. Brown. But it is so important … to keeping that offense running on time and making it more efficient.”

    Defense is Eagles ‘defining characteristic’

    With all the questions surrounding the offense, former NFL defensive end Chris Canty believes the Eagles defense will be what leads them to another Super Bowl.

    “The Eagles, when they go to Super Bowls, they have a top-two defense,” Canty said on ESPN’s First Take. “And if we’re going to establish the identity for this team, if we’re going to have a defining characteristic, I think the part that gets ignored is what that side of the ball does.

    “If they want to continue to be a team that contends for titles, defense is going to have to be what wins the day.”

    No Eagles listed in top 100 — yet

    Every year, players vote on the best 100 players in the league. The NFL has revealed Nos. 51-100. No Eagles players have been listed, but two former Eagles have made the cut: Brown and Josh Sweat.

    Brown is No. 80, falling 51 spots from last year’s No. 29 ranking. Sweat is No. 78, improving from last year’s No. 95 ranking.

    In last year’s NFL Top 100, nine Eagles players were listed: Mailata (No. 69), DeJean (No. 60), Mitchell (No. 49), Carter (No. 43), Baun (No. 26), Johnson (No. 23), Hurts (No. 19), and Barkley (No. 1).

  • LeBron James said he wants to go to a team that ‘trusts the process’ — but claimed it’s not a Sixers hint

    LeBron James said he wants to go to a team that ‘trusts the process’ — but claimed it’s not a Sixers hint

    Hey, LeBron, could you say that again?

    On Friday, during a live taping of LeBron James’ The Shop talk show at Fanatics Fest, the four-time champion used some choice words while describing what team he would like to join next.

    “I want to compete at a high level,” James said on stage at the Javits Center in New York City. “I want to join a franchise that kind of shares the same, you know, model as myself. And that’s like practicing championship habits every day, but trusting the process more than anything. I think you actually trust the process of actually getting to that point.”

    Cheers from the festival’s crowd interrupted James’ thought after he said “trust the process” a second time — for good reason. The phrase, popularized by former 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie and later adopted by Sixers star Joel Embiid, has since become synonymous with the team. James, noticing what he said, quickly clarified his comments.

    “I’ve been saying ‘to trust the process’ since I was drafted in like 2003,” James said. “I don’t even know if Embiid was even born yet.”

    LeBron to the Sixers would be bigger than we seem to understand | Mike Sielski

    It seems that James’ “trust the process” comment was just a coincidence and not a hint toward his next team. Or was it?

    On Thursday, during a live recording of James’ podcast Mind the Game, his co-host and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton also seemed to not-so-subtly drop the Sixers in conversation. Haliburton asked James, “What are you going on, what is this … Year 76?”

    James has not otherwise spoken about his free agency — and shut Haliburton down when he tried to broach the subject.

    The idea of James joining the Sixers a few months ago seemed near-impossible. Today, a few weeks after the team’s blockbuster trade for former Celtics star Jaylen Brown, it is a genuine possibility that the all-time great wraps up his career in Philadelphia.

    Bron-O-Meter: What are the current chances of LeBron James joining the Sixers?

    James’ agent and Klutch Sports head Rich Paul has already confirmed that the Sixers are a possible landing spot for his longtime client, and even had Bob Myers on his podcast, where the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president made his pitch. The Sixers front office has also made their interest public, with team president of basketball operations Mike Gansey telling The Inquirer on Tuesday that he would “love to have [James] in Philly.” Additionally, Embiid, Brown, and Tyrese Maxey, who has been pointed to as one of the main things attracting James to Philly, have already been in contact with the future Hall of Famer, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

    With James’ “trust the process” comment, Sixers fans have gone full conspiracy mode on social media. Some are even celebrating as if it is confirmation James is headed to Philadelphia.

    Friday marks 18 days since NBA free agency began. And James said on CNBC’s Boardroom on Thursday that “that he “won’t hold you guys up too much longer.” But some Sixers and NBA fans are fed up with James for taking so long to make a decision:

  • LeBron James didn’t reveal his next NBA home at Fanatics Fest, but hinted that a decision is coming soon

    LeBron James didn’t reveal his next NBA home at Fanatics Fest, but hinted that a decision is coming soon

    All eyes were on LeBron James as the free agent took the stage at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Thursday. Recording a live episode of his podcast, Mind the Game, some speculated that the former Laker would announce where he’s heading next season.

    Alas, no dice.

    The question is on everyone’s mind, even his co-host, Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers star joked with James, “What are you going on, what is this … Year 76?” as a not-so-subtle nod to the speculation that James will end up in Philadelphia.

    LeBron James has been living it up while the NBA world awaits his next decision

    Early in the event, Haliburton tried to press James on his decision, but he wasn’t having it.

    “We literally talked about this in the back, Rese,” he said. Haliburton backed off, replying that he would “leave it alone.”

    As fans were shouting various NBA teams he should join during the podcast recording, James said: “What do I hear? I heard Warriors … and Philly … Miami … this guys just told me to come to the Yankees. … We’ll see what happens.“

    The most James said about his current situation was in response to an 11-year-old who asked how he feels about being a free agent.

    James responded that “it’s a big decision for not only myself but for my family as well … where I want to spend the last few years, or the last year, or the last two years.”

    Later Thursday at the CNBC and Boardroom Game Plan Summit, James hinted that a decision could be coming soon, and that he “won’t hold you guys up too much longer,” according to ESPN.

    Many have speculated that the 41-year-old is heading into his final year in the NBA. Perhaps that’s not the case.

    LeBron James has floated the Sixers as a potential landing spot as he considers teams during NBA free agency.Charles Fox / Staff Photographer

    During his live podcast, James also touched on the current strength of the Eastern Conference, acknowledging the Jaylen Brown trade to the 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat — another team James is reportedly considering in free agency.

    “I think the East right now is going to be very exciting,” James said. He added that heading into the preseason, this may be the first time the Eastern Conference gets discussed more than the West.

    Mike Gansey ‘never would have envisioned’ landing Jaylen Brown in his first Sixers offseason — and is happy to wait on LeBron James’ decision

    Current Sixers, like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Brown have communicated directly with James, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. These comments come alongside the team’s new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who told The Inquirer on Tuesday that they would “love to have him in Philly.”

  • Jayson Tatum finally reacts to the Jaylen Brown trade: ‘If I’m being transparent, it’s weird’

    Jayson Tatum finally reacts to the Jaylen Brown trade: ‘If I’m being transparent, it’s weird’

    It’s been two weeks since the seismic Jaylen Brown trade to the 76ers, and his former teammate and co-star, Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum, finally has a response.

    “If I’m being transparent, it’s weird,” Tatum said in an ESPN interview at the ESPY Awards. “I’ve been on the Celtics for nine years, and he was my teammate every single one of those.”

    LeBron James has been living it up while the NBA world awaits his next decision

    Tatum joined Brown in Boston as the No. 3 draft pick in 2017, one year after Brown himself was selected third. Since then, the duo has played more than 600 games together and won a championship in 2024. Despite that bond, Tatum said he understands that “the NBA is a business” and is ready to turn his focus to next season.

    “There’s still a human element of it that you feel those emotions. The city feels those emotions,” Tatum said. “But there’s also a side of like, we have to welcome our new teammates in with open arms, and we still have to attack the new season.

    “So there’s like a balance,” he added. “But it’s weird.”

    The reaction to Tatum’s response has been largely one of frustration among Celtics fans. Many of the top comments on X under a video of the interview call Tatum “fake” and say he “was asking for it.” The trade, which sent 36-year-old Paul George to Boston, has the team reshaping its roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. Tatum agreed in the interview that the team has a lot of work to do.

    Jaylen Brown (left) and Jayson Tatum (right) spent nine seasons together with the Boston Celtics.Michael Dwyer

    For Brown, the emotions about leaving Boston are complicated also. He expressed his thoughts in a statement on social media.

    “I’m still processing how this all went down,” Brown said. “I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.”

    He added in a Twitch stream that he is “excited for what comes next” despite the “lack of respect” from his former team.

    Philadelphia, however, is prepared to welcome him with open arms. New 76ers president Mike Gansey expressed his gratitude, “We’re just super lucky to get him, and I know he’s motivated,” he said. Brown will be eligible to sign an extension with the Sixers on July 26.

    For now, both players and fans seem to agree on one thing: after nine years together, there’s no clean way to say goodbye.

  • All-Star Game trips are a tradition for two brothers after a near-death experience: ‘Just keep living, baby’

    All-Star Game trips are a tradition for two brothers after a near-death experience: ‘Just keep living, baby’

    Independence Mall was completely transformed for MLB’s 2026 All-Star red carpet. A crowd of fans filled the center, lining the zigzag path as they watched the league’s best players arrive in style ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. And as each player passed, two brothers could be heard through it all.

    Evan, 33, and Brent Folan, 35, made the trip from Puerto Rico, where they’ve been living the past two years, to attend this year’s All-Star Weekend. The trip marked the fourth All-Star Weekend the Folans attended as part of their annual brothers’ trip, a tradition that began after Evan’s near-death experience in 2019.

    With Independence Hall right behind them, the Texas natives were appropriately dressed for this year’s stop in Philadelphia. They called their outfits “the freedom look,” which consisted of the American flag overalls they’ve worn to almost every sporting event they’ve attended.

    The Folans even caught the attention of a certain green, furry creature with similar fashion sense.

    The Folan brothers said they wanted to “spread positivity” throughout the afternoon, and did so by cheering for anyone who walked the red carpet, whether it was the players, mascots, ball girls, or staffers.

    “This event is so much fun,” Brent said. “Baseball fans from all over the country, even the world, are here. So, just love each other. It’s amazing. It unites us all and everybody deserves to be celebrated.”

    Brandon Marsh’s dad died of cancer in 2021. He found a way to honor him in his first All-Star Game.

    The Folans’ goal is to “bring happiness” wherever they go. It’s a life lesson they learned in 2019 when Evan needed to be revived after a car crash in which he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, leaving him with short term memory loss.

    “We’re just best friends, we love each other and we want to spend as much time as we can together,” Evan said. “I have really bad short term memory. … I’m not going to remember this tomorrow. So I’m just living in the moment with my brother, just enjoying life because it was taken away from me momentarily.”

    Evan now has a book titled Forgetting to Remember, which shares the story of rebuilding his life following the accident. He also started the clothing brand Toro and Tides to support and raise awareness for those suffering brain injuries.

    After a tire flew through his window, Evan was in a coma for two days, suffered a broken neck, a fractured skull, and significant brain bleeding. He was told that his memory would continue to decline and he’ll more than likely develop dementia.

    But since the incident, Evan and Brent have traveled across the globe to different sporting events. And this year has been busier than ever — they’ve flown to Milan and Cortina for the Winter Olympics, attended the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico, and hit four cities in their World Cup tour.

    This 17-year-old from Lower Merion was booed during the Home Run Derby. He called it ‘an honor.’

    “I mean, it’s a different life that he’s living now, but it’s something we grew up on,” Brent said. “We love each other, we’re best friends, and it’s going to keep us connected no matter what happens. So we’re going to do it every year that we can.”

    During the red carpet, the Folans caught the attention of 33 players, getting signatures from players like Juan Soto. They also got Yoshinobu Yamamoto, after chanting the Japanese phrase san kudasai, a plea for an autograph which they learned from a Japanese cameraman before the red carpet began.

    During last year’s Home Run Derby in Atlanta, Evan caught a home run from Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz in the semifinals, which happened to be a rare bonus ball hit. That luck continued this year when Brent caught a signed home run ball from Philly’s own Kyle Schwarber.

    “This is amazing,” Brent said. “All-Star Weekend, this is the closest you’ll get to the players, like the actual All-Stars. The All-Star Village is cool but these are the guys you’re going to be seeing playing in the Home Run Derby, playing in the All-Star Game. You’re literally a foot from them. So, getting to talk to them, seeing they’re human, getting a laugh out of them, it’s been amazing.”

    After a successful weekend — catching Schwarbombs, getting nearly three dozen red-carpet signatures, and most importantly, spending quality time with one another — the Folans have a piece of advice for everyone willing to listen.

    “Just keep living, baby. Live life,” Brent said. “You never know what’s going to happen so just do what makes you happy.

    Evan added: “Spread positivity and bring happiness.”