Freshly acquired Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden did not make his home debut in Philadelphia on Friday night. That said, his mere presence could be felt, and the Sixers faithful were sure to show their support for their new superstar.
76ers showed this Harden vid on the jumbotron and Philly fans were loving it 🔥
(via @JGrasso_)pic.twitter.com/DxfZpfxQfC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2022
Despite temperatures in the 50s on Friday night in Philly, Harden's welcome was about as warm as it could be.
Harden arrives to join the Sixers via the Brooklyn Nets, who traded Harden and teammate Paul Millsap to Philadelphia in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round draft selections. The deadline trade, which is Harden's second in as many seasons, pairs the 32-year-old guard with center and Philadelphia's prodigal son Joel Embiid. Despite not having played a single minute together, the duo has already drawn comparisons to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal from their time together as members of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Kobe and Shaq Lakers would go on to win three consecutive NBA titles.
While going back-to-back-to-back would be an Earth-shattering accomplishment for Harden and Embiid, the chances of the Larry O'Brien Trophy coming home to Philadelphia certainly gained some steam after Thursday's trade deadline. The Sixers currently sit in the sixth spot in the NBA's Eastern Conference, just two spots higher than Harden's former team. With playoff implications almost certainly on the line, be sure to circle your calendars for March 10, as Kevin Durant and the new look Brookyln Nets travel to Broad Street for an epic showdown between the two embattled squads.
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