LeBron James says he pictured finishing career with Knicks

LeBron James joined the 76ers this summer. He says there was a time when he pictured himself finishing his career with the Knicks.

“I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden,” James said Monday at Sixers media day, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “One of the best places I’ve ever played.”

Then the Knicks won the championship, beating the Spurs in June. James decided joining them afterward would be a little too much.

“I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player,” he said. “But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”

He knew how it would look. “Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all,” James told reporters.

James said his free agency choice ultimately came down to the Sixers, Cavaliers, Warriors, Heat and Timberwolves. Philadelphia got him, and he said he’s happy with the decision. But he had nothing but praise for the team he once imagined joining.

“Much respect to the Knicks, obviously,” James said. “An unbelievable team, unbelievable players. Shout out Jalen Brunson. I love that guy, he’s unbelievable.”

James will still get to play at the Garden. The Sixers visit the Knicks on opening night, Oct. 20, and again Feb. 27. There could be another meeting in the playoffs, too, after New York swept Philadelphia in the second round last season.

For a while, James thought he might call the Garden home. Now he’ll arrive wearing the other team’s uniform.