In a dramatic return to Philadelphia, James Harden, now a member of the LA Clippers, faced a chorus of boos from the 76ers faithful. The Wells Fargo Center echoed with disapproval as Harden stepped onto the court for the first time since his trade.
Harden, no stranger to scrutiny, took the jeers in stride. Speaking to reporters after the game, he admitted, “I expected it. I don’t really know what it’s about, but I expected it. So, it is what it is.” The reasons behind the boos remain a mystery, but the intensity was palpable.
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While the boos rained down, Harden also felt the warmth of familiar faces. During his year and a half with the 76ers, he left an indelible mark on the city. “I think I did a lot,” Harden reflected. “I also had a very impactful, positive impact on a lot of people while I was here. I’m grateful for those relationships, I’m grateful for the opportunity and things like that. Those things that I can cherish and move on with. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
James Harden boo'd by the Philly crowd 👀
First game back since being traded to the Clippers
(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/jQTtQs0lP4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 27, 2024
Paul George, James Harden’s fellow Clipper, knows what it’s like to face a hostile crowd. Whenever George returns to Indiana, he encounters similar treatment. In solidarity with James Harden, George emphasized, “It was one versus 20,000. We got his back. We got to be a support system, and we got to pick him up and lift him. And I thought we did that, we were there for him. And try to make it as easy as possible for him to kind of drown out the noise.”
Amidst the boos and cheers, the Clippers secured a narrow 108-107 victory over the 76ers. Harden contributed to the win, proving that basketball remains the ultimate measure of success. As the Clippers move forward, Harden’s Philly return will linger as a memorable chapter in his storied career.
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