Clippers’ James Harden Left Confused by Sixers Fans’ Reaction

James Harden didn’t have the warmest welcome back to Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

As the Los Angeles Clippers squared off with the Philadelphia 76ers for the first and only time in South Philly this season, it was the only outing where Harden would play at the Wells Fargo Center this year after calling the arena his home for all of last season.

Months ago, Harden forced his way out of Philly after making it clear that he wouldn’t suit up for a team managed by 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey. As Harden revealed he lost trust in Morey after working with the executive for many years, dating back to Harden’s days as a Houston Rocket, the ten-time All-Star demanded a trade.

In October, Harden received his wish, and landed on the LA Clippers. At that point, the two late March matchups between the Sixers and the Clippers was circled on NBA fans’ calendars.

Harden took on his former team for the first time since leaving over the weekend. In a Sunday afternoon matchup out West, Harden had a disappointing showing while failing to lead his team to victory over Philadelphia.

Three nights later, The Beard was back in Philly for the first time since the fall. From Harden’s perspective, it was good to be back in the city where he spent the last season and a half.

“I think I did a lot, man,” Harden told reporters after the game. “I think I had a positive impact on a lot of people while I was here in that year and a half. I’m grateful for those relationships. I’m grateful for those opportunities I got. There are things that I can cherish and move on with.”

As for the drama that took place throughout the night, Harden brushed it off.

“Everything else, it doesn’t matter,” said the star guard.

Harden knew what was coming on Wednesday. When he was introduced as a member of LA’s starting five, he received the same treatment as every other visiting starter in the building. Then throughout the game, every time he touched the ball, Harden heard boos from the home crowd.

“I expected it,” he claimed.

While expected that kind of reaction, he was admittedly confused by it.

“I really don’t know what it was about,” he added, “but I expected it. It is what it is.”

In Harden’s eyes, his run in Philadelphia was a success from a personal standpoint. When he was asked to be a facilitator, the star guard led the league in assists, while helping the scoring champion Joel Embiid get ideal looks. Several times last season, Embiid credited Harden for helping him win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player title.

When Harden needed to be aggressive in the scoring category, he came alive in some of the Sixers’ biggest games last year. Unfortunately, when it was all said and done, the Sixers didn’t advance past the second round with Harden running the offense.

As dominant as Harden was during Games 1 and 4 between the Sixers and the Celtics, his final two outings in a Sixers uniform left a bad taste. In Game 6, when the Sixers had a chance to put the Celtics away, Harden shot 4-16 from the field, scoring just 13 points. In Game 7, he made just three of his 11 shots, producing nine points in the blowout loss to lose the series.

Overall, Harden’s tenure with the Sixers was decent. Clearly, he didn’t do enough to escape the Philly boo-birds.