This is going to take some getting used to. Typing out that headline, it still didn’t feel real. LeBron James is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. It goes without saying that the entire Philadelphia region has been in a state of celebration since the news broke. Here are some of the best reactions to the Sixers signing one of the best players of all time.
Tyrese Maxey, also a Rich Paul client, could barely contain himself on his Instagram story. He captioned the video of his celebration, “I feel
like Coach Cal,” in reference to his college coach John Calipari. It’s an appropriate feeling for Maxey, who was very involved in the recruiting process, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
VJ Edgecombe celebrated by recreating a famous LeBron meme. Like so many Sixers fans, he is smiling through it all and can’t believe this is his life. Jabari Walker didn’t exactly recreate it, but he had a similar reaction. Jaylen Brown once again tweeted #ThrowTheBallUp, which will surely be printed on a gazillion T-Shirts between now and the start of the season.
Dominick Barlow was out golfing when he heard the news of James’ decision, which is fitting since how good the golf scene was in each city did reportedly play a factor in where LeBron would go. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has already invited LeBron out for a round.
July 24 has already been declared LeBron James Day in the state of Pennsylvania according to governor Josh Shapiro. He had a certificate and everything ready to be posted within minutes of James’ signing being reported. Septa also tweeted that “B is for Bron,” so we’ll have to see if the Broad Street Line officially gets renamed.
Meanwhile, the Queen of Philadelphia, South Carolina Women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley tweeted out a video in celebration. The fact that she could rock a black LeBron James jersey on the sideline is a real possibility now. What a world.
Plenty of ex-Philly athletes or personalities have chimed in as well, from Torrey Smith to Darius Slay to Andre Drummond. Not only did former commentator Marc Zumoff dust off one of his trademark catchphrases, but the movement to try to bring Matt Cord out of retirement has already started.
It would be really cool if this isn’t the only time we hear Cord’s LeBron introduction.
One of the biggest victory laps for this signing should go to Mike Gansey’s brother, Steve. He had tweeted a picture of Gansey and James together in High School the day the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown, one of the first things to fuel LeBron to Philly rumors this offseason. Even as just the brother of the president of basketball operations, he is already getting offers for free drinks and statues in his replies.
