Sixers defeat Cavs, capping massive comeback; Trump demands apology from LeBron, Nick Nurse reacts

Rodney Anderson let out a loud “WOO” on the concourse as other fans went off into the night, singing and hugging each other as they headed for the exits. 

“Actual defense? The focus, the intensity? I’m loving it” Anderson, from Abington, said about the second half comeback. 

“The first half was nasty,” said Kyle Hueston from New York. Hueston was rocking James’ latest Nike sneaker, in the same split red and blue colors that James wore in his home debut. He said he was simply “elated” to see the Sixers pull through. 

All the stars had a starring role at one point or another.

LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey sparked the comeback with transition offense off Cleveland turnovers in the third quarter. That got the Sixers back in it.

Then in the fourth quarter, when it seemed the Sixers just could never get all the way back, Joel Embiid had seven straight points to give the Sixers their first lead of the game, 96-95.

Some eagle-eyed Sixers fans may have noticed the team’s home court looked a little brighter than usual.

No, this is not a new filter ESPN is trying out. Xfinity Mobile Arena got a new lighting rig, according to the Sixers.

This season, fans will see "an enhanced game presentation experience through a new arena-wide lighting system that transforms the whole venue,” the team wrote in a Thursday release. “Paired with theatrical lighting focused on the court and PixMob lighting installed throughout the seating bowl, the technology creates a more immersive atmosphere for player introductions and key game moments.”

Former Sixers great Charles Barkely had some advice for Philly fans after a sloppy first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Let's put a hold on that championship parade down Broad Street," Barkley said at halftime.

Barkley echoed concerns he had ahead of the game about the lack of size on Philly's roster outside of Joel Embiid, which caused matchup problems during the first half. Cavs power forward Evan Mobley had 15 points in the first half, while center Jarrett Allen put up 14.

The 76ers turned the ball over 13 times and shot 40% from the field, including 21% from three.

That's a recipe for disaster.

It's also an obvious explanation for why the Sixers trailed, 69-45, going into halftime of their home opener, which also doubles as the first game for LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in Philly.

In the Cavaliers’ first few possessions, the Sixers faithful let James Harden hear it. Is booing the former Sixer fair? ESPN color commentator and former NBA forward Richard Jefferson didn’t think so.

“I understand that they're booing James Harden,” Jefferson said. “But understand that James Harden was very important to building this current Philadelphia 76ers team, so they should be serious. … I'm just saying, James Harden, when they moved on from him, obviously it gave them the pieces and the opportunity to build what roster they have right now.”

The booing did not surprise Tim Legler, another part of ESPN’s three-man booth. Legler, a La Salle graduate, knows how Philadelphia welcomes back players that did not work out.

Count Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson as a Mike Gansey fan.

The two men spent two seasons in the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, where Atkinson said Gansey frequently “connected” the front office to the coaching staff. Atkinson said Gansey was known to spend 25 minutes in an assistant’s office.

“I still can’t get over how nice a person he is,” Atkinson said, echoing several sources in The Inquirer’s profile of Gansey published earlier Thursday. “I didn’t know people like that existed, like, in the world. And I really mean it.

With a little less than an hour until the 76ers' home opener tips off, fans are filing in Stateside Live!

From front to back and spilling into the the outdoor area, fans are decked in blue, white, and red, while others are still in their work clothes. 

Others, have chosen to get more dressed up for the occasion, wearing a crown to welcome the King. 

Red, white, and blue balloons decorated the main concourse, white t-shirts with caricature images of the team were layed out on the seats of the empty arena, and images of the Sixers new starting five were displayed throughout the arena.  

Once gates opened, thousands of fans made their way into the Xfinity Mobile Arena — including Neen and Rich Raspa, who have been season ticket holders for 27 years. 

“You can definitely feel the difference as you come into the building tonight and even outside in the parking lots,” Rich said. “The crowd is hyped up already and it’s not even full yet. We’re going to see a very exciting game tonight.” 

Only weeks ago, LeBron James shot down a report stating that he had scolded Joel Embiid for being late to the practice floor.

At that time, 76ers coach Nick Nurse spoke about the noise that would center around this team and the importance of shutting it out. Well, it didn't take long for that skill to be tested once again.

One game into the season, President Donald Trump called out James on his Truth Social platform for stretching during the national anthem. His message was accompanied by video of James standing before the Sixers' opener against the New York Knicks. In the shot, James is seen swinging his arms in a stretching motion, followed by a moment where he practiced his shooting form.

Matt Cord met Kyle Korver for dinner in Center City just like they always did whenever Korver rolled through town. Cord, the Sixers’ longtime public address announcer, knew Korver since he was a rookie and they stayed in touch after Korver left Philly in 2008.

They finished their meal at the Capital Grille in November of 2017 and then sat at the hotel bar where Korver and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers were staying.

“Out from the elevator comes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Tristan Thompson,” Cord said. “LeBron’s like, ‘Kyle!’ Kyle goes, ‘Bron-Bron!’”

Dawn Staley showed some love to the Sixers in the hours before their home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The South Carolina coach and North Philadelphia native is a huge Philly sports fan, so it's no surprise that she found a way to show support.

Staley rocked the LeBron 24 in red and blue colorways along with a long sleeve Sixers shirt.

President Donald Trump posted a video on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, criticizing Sixers forward LeBron James for how he behaved during the playing of the national anthem before Tuesday's Sixers-Knicks opener at Madison Square Garden.

"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump wrote. "I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE. LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!"

This video was attached:

Anfernee Simons recently recalled a conversation with his parents, when he acknowledged he does not savor moments as much as he would like.

The 76ers’ reserve guard vowed to be better about that this season, given the circumstances. He is now on a team with championship aspirations and oodles of star power after adding the legendary LeBron James and All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown during an exceptional offseason.

Simons kept that same energy ahead of Thursday’s home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. When asked following the team’s morning shootaround about what most excites him entering the game, he said “taking in the moment.”

With a team that includes LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown, is the Sixers' most-important player still Joel Embiid?

That's what Inside the NBA colleagues Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal argued about Wednesday on ESPN.

"As important as Jaylen Brown is, if Joel Embiid doesn't play well, they will not win," Shaq said.

Tyrese Maxey took to Instagram to apologize to teammate LeBron James for getting in the way of his chalk toss prior to Thursday night's win against the New York Knicks.

"My bad my bad," Maxey wrote.

James began his iconic pregame routine during his rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. He briefly stopped it when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010, but brought it back during his second stint with the Cavs after asking fans what they thought on social media.

Motown Philly will be back again tonight at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Boyz II Men will perform the national anthem ahead of Thursday night's Sixers home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Philly trio of Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanyá Morris have been performing since 1985, initially going by the name Unique Attractions. The fourth member of their quartet, bass singer Michael McCary, left the group in 2003 after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

LeBron James will make his Philly debut on the court in the 76ers home opener tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m., ESPN).

Calling the game will be ESPN's NBA Finals booth, featuring veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and analysts Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler. King of Prussia native Lisa Salters will report from Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Breen was forced to walk back comments he made during the preseason, where he claimed during a broadcast Joel Embiid was late to a practice and James "let him hear it." James described the incident as "lies" in an Instagram post.