The City of Brotherly Love didn’t love James Harden, who returned for the first time after forcing a trade out of town earlier this season.
Harden returned to Philadelphia on Wednesday night when the Clippers defeated the 76ers 108-107, but fans made their displeasure with the former Sixers star clear from his introduction at the start of the game.
Video from inside the Wells Fargo Center shows Harden being introduced as a member of the Clippers’ starting five, exchanging high-fives with teammates and boos raining down on him as he appears to ignore the crowd. was.
Harden, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds, was booed every time he touched the ball and only received cheers when he missed a shot or turned the ball over. Delaware News Journal reported.
The NBA star had previously spent a season and a half in Philadelphia after escaping from Brooklyn.
Harden’s relationship with the Sixers quickly deteriorated, particularly in China last August, when Harden called team president Daryl Morey a “liar” and said he would “never be a part of the organization I’m in.” After he said that, his condition rapidly deteriorated.
Harden started the season with the 76ers, but never played and was ultimately traded to the Clippers on October 31st.
Ahead of his return to Philadelphia on Wednesday, Harden downplayed the personal significance of his return while hinting that it was bigger for the Clippers as a whole.
“I don’t know and I don’t care.” Harden told The Athletic. When asked about possible reception. “We have bigger problems than me worrying about Philadelphia, you know what I mean?
“There’s a bigger problem.”
Harden entered this game averaging 17.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game.
