LeBron James Begins Final NBA Chapter at Madison Square Garden

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

LeBron James Begins the Final Chapter of His Career With the 76ers

The NBA tips off tonight with a major matchup at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks host the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers.

There are plenty of questions about what this era will look like and how the final chapter of James’ career will unfold. The 76ers have several great basketball players, but Joel Embiid must be the centerpiece and needs to play more than 39 games. That makes Philadelphia one of the season’s most interesting stories.

Tyrese Maxey’s connection with his new teammate could be central to the team’s offense. The two have worked out together every summer, building familiarity that can translate from practice to games. Their pick-and-roll action gives Philadelphia another option to keep in its back pocket.

The team’s best offensive opportunities could come from getting up the floor and taking advantage of its pace, spacing and athleticism. Philadelphia has players who share the ball and can attack the paint with either the dribble or the pass.

Could James become the Robin to Maxey in this dynamic? The last time James had a similar setup was with Dwyane Wade in Miami, where the pair formed a powerful one-two punch. Embiid also remains part of the conversation, leaving Nick Nurse with the challenge of getting the basketball into the hands of all his key players.

James’ role will help define the final chapter of one of the greatest NBA careers of all time. His name belongs in debates alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and he now has an opportunity to go out on top.

Jordan’s career ended in Washington with a 20-point scorer on a team going nowhere, creating an ending that many people now try to erase. The question is whether James’ storybook career will conclude differently.

Jordan remains my choice as the greatest player ever, with Abdul-Jabbar second. The skyhook is the most unstoppable shot in NBA history. With 10 seconds remaining, I would rather have a player taking a five-footer than someone attempting a 30-footer.

Still, James belongs in that conversation and has another chance to expand his legacy. He has won NBA championships in three different cities and earned MVP honors in those cities as well.

James has also provided an example of how to represent yourself and rise from rags to riches. He became a billionaire while establishing himself as one of the greatest basketball players and American sports athletes ever.

That final chapter begins tonight at Madison Square Garden, the place where a championship was won just a few months ago.