NBA legend LeBron James has called off retirement talks as he is set for a record 24th season after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers this summer.
James will begin his long-awaited final chapter in his inaugural camp with the 76ers.
He kept the NBA world waiting for weeks before announcing his decision over the summer to join Philadelphia on a two-year, $8m (£6m) contract with a player option for next season.
If James wins a title in Philadelphia, the 76ers would be the fourth franchise to become champions with him on the roster.
James won two championships in Miami, one in Cleveland and one with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m not going to talk about the future right now; I’d be doing myself a disservice,” James said at Sixers media day.
“I’m just living in the moment, especially knowing where I am in my career.
“Me trying to focus on what my future looks like, I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors. Now I’m more in the present, realizing I’m 24… I just like being in the moment and we’ll see what happens.”
And if that Philly title happens, it would give Joel Embiid his first ring — which is part of James’ motivation.
“I didn’t leave my family (in Los Angeles) to lose in the second round,” said James, who will turn 42 in December. “I know that for sure. The job has to be done and I’m ready to get to work.”
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Here’s a look back at the best games of the 22-time All-Star’s career…
Just as James did for Cleveland when he ended a 56-year championship drought for the city by leading the Cavaliers to the title in 2016, he is in Philadelphia primarily to help prevent a championship drought for the Sixers that stretches back to 1983.
The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the eventual champion New York Knicks.
“Understand that noise is going to be noise,” James said. “What happens outside of this building is going to happen again and again, and it’s going to double, triple, and quadruple on you. It just comes with the territory. I get it.
“I think the luxury of my game is, I can do anything. Literally, I can do anything.”
James, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and fellow Sixers rookie Jaylen Brown were all on hand for media day ahead of the start of training camp and what figures to be the most anticipated season in Philly since Julius Erving’s heyday.
“Hopefully I can bring that experience, bring that knowledge, bring the blueprint to guys that are trying to accomplish some things that they haven’t done in their careers,” James said.
“I’ve seen everything this league has to offer on the floor and off the floor, so hopefully every day with my approach to the game, approach to work, that can translate to every guy.”
