Dawn of LeJawn: The King takes over Philly

State of play: James' seismic decision to join the Sixers dominated sports talk and sent a stunning jolt through the basketball world, transforming Philadelphia into an instant championship contender.

• Betting markets shifted; the NBA can finally lock in its schedule, and the countdown to the LeJawn era has officially begun.

The big picture: Tyrese Maxey's uncontrollable yips of "what" reflected how Philadelphians felt when news first broke that James was coming to the City of Brotherly Love.

• It was one of those "where were you when" moments Sixers fans will likely remember forever, especially if James can bring the Larry O'Brien trophy back to Philly.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro, who helped pitch James on Philly, officially declared July 24 as "LeBron James Day."
• Philly fast-food joint Honeygrow now owes James food for life.

The latest: The King received a very Philly coronation.

• Billboards and signs sprang up across town. The Phillie Phanatic imitated James' iconic powder toss. LeCount Street was temporarily renamed LeBron Street.
• James' No. 23 jerseys flew off the shelves.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer reminisced about James' first visit to Philly as a high school player, when he put on a show for fans at the Paelestra — and nearly missed a visit to one of Philly's most iconic landmarks, the Liberty Bell.
• Social media influencers also posted their own tributes to James.

What they're saying: Mayor Cherelle Parker promised the city would roll out the "welcoming mat starting Day One!"

• "Get ready, Philly—the energy is about to be off the charts!" she wrote on X.

Zoom in: The Sixers haven't won a championship since 1983.

• They also have one the most irascible, hard-to-please fan bases in the country — something that'd deter less-inclined players on farewell tours.

Yes, but: Not James. The "Chosen One" is arguably the player who has come closest to matching Michael Jordan's greatness — on and off the court.

• Entering his 24th year in the league, James has collected four championships with three different teams and eclipsed Jordan as the league all-time scoring leader.

• As Jay-Z would say, he's not a businessman; he's a business, man. A juggernaut worth an estimated $1.4 billion, James has deals with the world's biggest brands, including Nike, AT&T and Pepsi, has appeared in films and helped produce a documentary.

Reality check: That's why James says he didn't come to Philly for "money" or "family" but to continue to "grind."

• James' two-year, $8 million deal with Sixers is a fraction of the $52.6 million he earned with the Lakers last year.

How it happened: James' courtship took weeks, as his team heard pitches from multiple interested suitors, including hometown favorite Cleveland.

• Philly put on a full-court press to land James, enlisting everyone from Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, to its star players to bend the King's' ear.

What we're watching: Whether the team holds an introductory news conference for James.

• He didn't have one after returning home to Cleveland or when he signed with the Lakers.

The bottom line: Hopefully around this time next year, Sixers fans will be putting their own spin on another running meme: Thom Bell, Patti LaBelle. Liberty Bell.

• Sixers in 5.