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LeBron James engaged in a heated verbal exchange with a New York Knicks fan during his Philadelphia 76ers debut at Madison Square Garden. The superstar helped steer his new team to a 106-100 road victory, but faced a hostile atmosphere from sections of the home crowd throughout the matchup. Some fans heckled him over past rumors linking him with a potential move to New York ahead of the season.
Tensions flared when a courtside spectator yelled directly at the veteran forward: "We don't need you here, get back to your West Coast!"
James wasted no time responding to the provocation, firing back at the fan from the floor:
"Ain't nothing soft about the Midwest. What West are you even talking about? I don't understand. I'm not from the West Coast. I'm from Ohio, man. What nonsense are you talking?"
The veteran, who turns 42 in late December, recorded 14 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in his official debut for Philly.
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