LeBron James facing high expectations with 76ers

LeBron James has officially made his decision on where he intends to play out the remainder of his career.

After weeks of speculation, he has chosen the Philadelphia 76ers. While fans will be initially excited about James arrival in Philadelphia, will that same enthusiasm last all season long?

LeBron James is walking into an unforgiving fanbase

Every city thinks its fans are passionate.

Philadelphia has something else entirely. It has a reputation.

 Just ask Santa Claus.

In 1968 during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, the Philly fans booed Santa Claus and even pelted the poor guy with snowballs. Why? Because of a terrible losing season they endured. It wasn't Santa's fault, but he certainly felt the wrath of the Philly fanbase. Wrong place, wrong time. 

It still makes headlines nearly 60 years later every time the Philadelphia sporting culture comes up. 

Then came GQ.

In 2011, the GQ magazine called Philadelphia home to "The Meanest Fans in America," putting the city's Phillies and Eagles supporters at the top of its list. The point wasn't that Philadelphia loved sports less than everyone else. It was almost the opposite. Fans there have never believed buying a ticket requires blind loyalty. If a team underachieves, they let it know. If a star falls short, his resume doesn't buy him silence.

That's part of the culture now.

People outside the city mock it. People inside the city often embrace it.

Philadelphia fans have high expectations

The list of athletes who discovered that reality is long.

Donovan McNabb won five NFC Championship Games, reached a Super Bowl and retired as the most accomplished quarterback in Eagles history. The criticism never completely disappeared.

Joel Embiid became league MVP. Ben Simmons looked like the future of the 76ers until one playoff series changed everything. Both heard boos from their own crowd because Philadelphia has never viewed regular-season success as the finish line.

Even across town, Phillies stars have learned the same lesson. Slumps don't earn sympathy. They earn frustration.

Viewed individually, those stories are different. Viewed together, they tell you exactly what kind of sports town this is. Philadelphia doesn't reserve its harshest opinions for opponents. 

It saves plenty of them for its own stars.

LeBron James must win now

LeBron James will receive a hero's welcome the day he's introduced.

He should.

Philly has not won an NBA championship since 1983. They've reached the Finals only once since then. Bringing in LeBron isn't about selling jerseys or dominating headlines. It's about ending a drought that has lasted long enough for an entire generation of fans to grow up without seeing a title.

That's why this won't be a farewell tour.

Philadelphia isn't interested in celebrating LeBron's career. It's interested in celebrating a championship. If he delivers one, the city will remember him forever. If he doesn't, history suggests his Hall of Fame resume won't protect him from the same criticism that has found so many stars before him.

For most players, the biggest challenge is living up to expectations.

For LeBron James, the biggest challenge may be living up to Philadelphia.