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It Took LeBron James One Game to Comprehend Philadelphia Booing Culture
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LeBron after a wonderful come-from-behind victory:
“It was everything that I’ve dreamed of and more. Got the boos. That was amazing. And we deserved it. And then we got the cheers and almost blew the roof off this thing tonight, in a good way. It was a hell of a night.”
Now here’s a guy who gets it. LeBron says the boos, down 29 points, were amazing and deserved. And then they got the cheers when they went on a tear, outscoring Cleveland 69-37 the rest of the way.
It’s as simple as that!
You play bad basketball and you get boooooooooed. The fans voice their displeasure. Then you crank up the intensity and run the other team off the floor and you get the loudest cheers you’re ever going to get. High ceiling, low floor, like most things in Philadelphia sports.
LeBron is, of course, 41 years old, so he’s been around the block and seen a lot. He knows what’s up. This isn’t Tucker Kraft out here crying about Packer fans after giving up 35 points to a previously winless Atlanta Falcons team. This isn’t Sean Rodriguez lecturing “entitled” Phillies fans after finally playing a decent baseball game. LeBron James is a grizzled veteran who understands fan behavior and the various cultures around the association.
What’s most important is that the Sixers responded to the booooos, ratcheting up the defense and getting out in transition. If they defend and run this season they will go 82-0.
LeBron Al-Gaib!
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com