James Harden Doesn’t Know Why He Was Booed in Philadelphia

Former Sixer receives cold shoulder in return.

It was a very frustrating night for Philadelphia 76ers fans last night as James Harden came into town with the Los Angeles Clippers and escaped with a 108-107 victory. The Sixers’ Kelly Oubre was unable to get a shot off at the end of regulation thanks to some physical defense from Paul George and no official blowing their whistle. After the game crew chief Kevin Scott admitted that there should have been a foul but by then it was too late to do anything.

The home fans had no recourse but to boo, which is how they started the night as well. Harden, who spent the previous two seasons with Philadelphia, was showered with them during pregame introductions.

“I expected it,” Harden said after the game. “I really don’t know what it’s about, but I expected it. So it is what it is. I don’t even know why they were booing. You can ask them. I don’t know why they were booing.”

Harden’s time with the Sixers was a bit complicated. He was only able to suit up for 79 regular-season games over two years during which he continued to be one of the most prolific passers in the NBA. But he posted lackluster showings in Games 6 and 7 of an Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Boston Celtics last spring, going 7-for-27 in total from the field. Then there was a tumultuous offseason where he called general manager Daryl Morey a “liar” and made the situation so untenable that the franchise eventually dealt him to the Clippers.

So it’s not a total mystery why the Philadelphia fans didn’t welcome him back with open arms.

Kyle Koster is an editor at The Big Lead.