James sets high playoff expectations for 76ers

LeBron James said at Philadelphia 76ers media day that he joined the team expecting to contend beyond the second round of the NBA playoffs, and explained that the New York Knicks’ championship win changed his thinking about a possible move to New York. His remarks set a high standard for a new team whose season has not yet begun. “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” James said, describing his expectations for Philadelphia. He said the team would need to put in difficult work and make sacrifices to become successful. The comment expressed his ambitions, not a prediction of the 76ers’ eventual postseason result. James, who left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, said he had once pictured playing at Madison Square Garden and ending his career there. He described the arena as one of the best places he had played. But after the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs to win the championship, he decided against joining them, saying he expected criticism for signing with a reigning champion. The accounts do not establish that a move to New York was agreed or imminent.