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LeBron James sparks new 76ers viral debate
LeBron James, a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, became the focus of a viral video on September 22, 2026, showing him missing jumpers during an open run at Crespi Carmelite High School in Los Angeles.
The footage came from a longer session also featuring NBA players DeMar DeRozan, Jalen Johnson, and Jaren Jackson Jr. James signed with the 76ers in July 2026 after 8 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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The full video contradicts the viral clip
James went 11-for-19 in the full version of the open-run video, according to reports covering the footage. The viral edit showed only a short stretch of missed shots.
The original YouTube video ran for more than an hour, while the clip that spread on X was about one minute long. The difference between the two versions sparked debate online on September 22, 2026.
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NBA stars joined LeBron James in open run
LeBron James shared the court with several NBA players during the open run, including DeMar DeRozan, Jalen Johnson, and Jaren Jackson Jr. DeAndre Jordan and Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings also took part in the session.
The pickup run took place earlier in September 2026 at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California. Complex reposted a clip from the session on TikTok a couple of weeks earlier, while the full video appeared on YouTube the night before the September 22 reports.
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Second video shows James dominating same run
A separate video from the same open run surfaced a few hours later, showing James knocking down jumpers during the session. That clip was captioned “LeBron James DOMINATED in this open run” and spread across social media.
Both videos came from the same hour-long run earlier in September. Viewers noticed the players were wearing the same clothes in both clips, indicating that the footage came from the same session.
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Fans split over James’s real performance level
Social media users disagreed over what the two videos revealed about James’ performance heading into his 24th NBA season. Supporters pointed to the full footage, where James went 11-for-19, and argued that the short missed-shot clip lacked context.
Critics used the missed shots to question whether James’ age could affect his performance entering the season. Both sides pointed to different clips from the same open run at Crespi Carmelite High School.
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LeBron James begins 24th NBA season at 41
LeBron James enters the 2026-27 season as a 41-year-old forward, making this his 24th NBA season. He is the league’s all-time leading scorer, a record he set in February 2023 while with the Lakers.
James has won four NBA championships and four NBA Finals MVP awards across stints with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. He agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers in July 2026, with the deal including a player option.
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76ers build championship roster around James
The Philadelphia 76ers reshaped their roster after signing James and trading for Jaylen Brown during the 2026 offseason. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe remain part of the team’s core group.
The 76ers have not won an NBA title since 1983, leaving the franchise without a championship for more than four decades. Mike Gansey began his first offseason as the team’s president of basketball operations after taking the position in June 2026.
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76ers open 2026-27 season against Knicks
The 76ers will open the 2026-27 season on the road against the defending champion New York Knicks on October 20, 2026. The game at Madison Square Garden will be the second matchup in the NBA’s opening-day tripleheader.
James will make his Philadelphia home debut 2 days later on October 22, 2026, when the 76ers host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team will also visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, marking James’ return to Los Angeles after leaving the franchise for Philadelphia.
Fun fact: LeBron James owns a stake in Liverpool FC through Fenway Sports Group, having first bought 2% of the club in 2011.
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Traders bet $273 million on James’s future
James’s free agency decision generated more than $273 million in prediction market trading volume across platforms before he signed with Philadelphia, according to Legal Sports Report. That was more trading volume than any individual basketball game.
Prediction markets largely missed James’s eventual destination. The 76ers carried about 9% implied odds while the Miami Heat stood near 45% shortly before James announced his decision in July 2026. Front Office Sports reported roughly $226 million traded on Kalshi alone.
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LeBron James signs first solo Polymarket deal
LeBron James announced a partnership with prediction market platform Polymarket on September 5, 2026, becoming the first NBA athlete to sign an individual partnership with the company. He teased the relationship in a 14-second video posted to X and Instagram.
The campaign focuses on football rather than basketball, following restrictions around active NBA players providing picks or commentary on NBA games. James’s prior deal with DraftKings expired earlier in 2026 after beginning in 2024, when the sportsbook named him a talent ambassador focused on football and major sporting events.
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Fans slam James over Polymarket partnership
The Polymarket announcement drew swift criticism from fans on social media, with some calling James a sellout given his estimated net worth of more than $1.4 billion. A widely shared comment on Instagram gathered about 4,500 likes.
Critics pointed to legal challenges facing Polymarket, with roughly 20 states having sued or joined lawsuits over unlicensed sports betting claims. Polymarket has denied the accusations, describing its contracts as regulated financial trading instead.
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Other stars also join prediction markets
LeBron James is among several athletes associated with prediction-market companies. Giannis Antetokounmpo announced an investment in Kalshi in February 2026, while Lionel Messi and Bryson DeChambeau have appeared in Kalshi partnerships or campaigns.
In 2025, Intercontinental Exchange announced an investment of up to $2 billion in Polymarket at an approximate $8 billion preinvestment valuation. By September 2026, Polymarket was reportedly seeking funding at a valuation above $20 billion.
LeBron’s next career move has put fresh attention on Bronny James and his future. LeBron’s 76ers move changes everything for Bronny James; it explains how the move could affect his son’s next chapter.
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76ers season tips off with LeBron James at 41
The Philadelphia 76ers open the 2026-27 season on October 20, 2026, with James entering what he has called his final NBA season at age 41. The viral open-run clips will not affect his regular-season workload.
The 76ers are considered among the favorites to reach the 2027 NBA Finals after adding James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe to one roster. Fans will get their first real look at the group on opening night.
LeBron’s decision is adding a new twist to the NBA star’s next chapter. Explore why LeBron chooses the 76ers for another title run and what the move could mean for the season ahead.
Do you think LeBron James still has what it takes at 41, or is Father Time finally catching up? Drop your take in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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