LeBron James exchanges words with Knicks fan in 76ers win

LeBron James exchanged words with a courtside New York Knicks fan during the Philadelphia 76ers’ 106-100 season-opening win at Madison Square Garden, responding during the first half by saying he was from Ohio, not the West Coast. The fan’s exact remarks and what prompted the exchange have not been confirmed. The exchange occurred as Knicks guard Jalen Brunson prepared to shoot free throws. Video captured James turning toward a fan near the baseline and responding that there was nothing soft about the Midwest, before saying, “I’m not from the West Coast. I’m from Ohio, baby.” The words that came before his response were not picked up clearly, leaving the conversation’s cause uncertain. The incident unfolded amid a boisterous reception for James, who was making his regular-season debut with Philadelphia. Knicks fans chanted “We don’t want you” toward him during the game, including while he was at the free-throw line. A separate account said Spike Lee, a longtime Knicks fan seated courtside, appeared to intervene; an Associated Press reporter characterized Lee’s actions as an attempt to play peacemaker. One account attributed the exchange to taunts about James using a...