Dave Portnoy claims LeBron James 'hates Philly so much'

Dave Portnoy is not letting LeBron James’ living situation slide. The Barstool Sports founder responded to a photo of James landing in New York City following Sixers practice in Philadelphia, and he kept it short and sharp.

“This man hates Philly so much he can’t spend more than 30 seconds in the city,” Portnoy wrote on X.

The jab targets James’ arrangement while playing for the Sixers. James will reportedly not live full-time in Philadelphia and instead split time between there and New York City — though that living arrangement is reported, not confirmed.

Portnoy has long been a vocal critic of James, bordering on "hater" territory, according to www.basketballnetwork.net. This latest post fits a familiar pattern: he has slammed James for not living in Philly full-time before, and he has consistently found reasons to take aim at the four-time MVP.

For a fan base that prides itself on loyalty, Portnoy’s point lands with a sting. James chose Philadelphia to chase a title, but his off-court split residency gives critics like Portnoy an easy opening.

The question now is whether James can win over a city that already has one of the NBA’s most hostile crowds — and whether every trip to New York will keep fueling the fire.

THE SURPRISE SIGNING

When LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason, many people were caught off guard. The Sixers were firmly in the running during the weeks-long free agency sweepstakes, but plenty believed the ideal move was for James to return to Cleveland and end his career where it began.

Even an unimaginable move to the Golden State seemed more plausible, given his close friendship with Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. So when news broke that the four-time champion and four-time MVP decided to take his talents to "The City of Brotherly Love," confusion was the prevalent sentiment.

LeBron really didn’t have ties to Philadelphia, except sharing an agent with Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey. Soon enough, it became pretty clear that Bron going to Philadelphia was a business decision.