The must-watch games to start Philly's LeJawn Era
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The face you make when you're about to #throwtheball up to LeBron James. Photo: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
LeBron James' farewell tour makes for good television, and the NBA is capitalizing on the story by loading the Sixers' schedule with primetime games — including marquee matchups with James' former teams.
Why it matters: How Chicago felt watching Michael Jordan's "Last Dance" is how Philly feels right now watching King James' "Last Decision."
The big picture: We're not only watching one of the game's best-ever put a bow on his career.
- We're getting to see if he can do something that not even Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley and Joel Embiid could accomplish: help hang a championship banner in Philly for the first time since 1983.
- And we get to watch large chunks of (hopefully) the "Completion of 'The Process'" up close.
Driving the news: The Sixers are playing 34 nationally televised games this season, and nine against James' old teams.
Zoom in: These are some of the must-see matchups, a few of which we already knew about:
- The Sixers have four games against the defending champion Knicks, including one on opening night during their ring celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Two days later, the Sixers are back home against James' old team, the Cavaliers.
- They're probably feeling a little jelly right now after losing the LeBron sweepstakes.
- Plus, it doesn't take much to get Philly fans riled up. But if you want them coming in at a 10.0 on the Richter scale, just hand them an old beef.
Case in point: We're looking at James "I won't play another day in Philly" Harden — delivered with Sixers announcer Matt Cord's booming, ultra-amped-up energy.
- Holding out — which Harden does a lot of — hope the Sixers will eat a W.
We'll pay Cleveland a return visit on Nov. 6.
Nov. 23: Ja know what we mean? The Sixers will host Portland, who acquired the talented but tempestuous Ja Morant from Memphis in the offseason.
Nov. 25: Start working on your best meme or poster to hold up at Xfinity Mobile Arena, because the Heat — yes, the same creators of the pre-"Last Decision" gaffe — are in town for a matchup televised on ESPN.
- King James will hopefully lock down the Heat on the court. But we can't wait to see what Philly's kings of the trolls bring on their posters.
Nov. 28: Houston, we got the Rockets on the road, followed by another matchup with them at home two days before Christmas.
Dec. 25: Sleigh the Lakers in LA. A LeBron James Christmas game is always a Santa bag of fun.
Jan. 6: One of three matchups against 2025 NBA champs Oklahoma City, led by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- This one at home will be a real test of the Sixers' potential championship-caliber mettle.
Jan. 16: A great midway matinee affair at home against Minnesota.
- Not exactly a passing of the torch, but you get the picture. It's one of the last times we'll see a clash of old-head James taking on young thundercat Anthony Edwards.
The bottom line: It's almost time to toss the powder in the air.