Stephen A. Smith issued a stern warning Sunday to James Harden about partying and the passionate fans of Philadelphia.
Speaking on “NBA Countdown,” Smith cautioned Harden about how quickly Sixers fans could turn on him if it doesn’t look like he cares as deeply about winning and losing as they do.
“As a person who worked in Philadelphia for 17 years, from a college reporter to a general sports columnist, I know this city,” Smith said. “They love you. They appreciate the fact that you are not Ben Simmons. But make no mistake: when you play like you played the other night, you cannot be seen out partying that night like it meant no big deal to you — because the city, I can assure you, it was a big deal to them.
James Harden partied last week following the Sixers’ loss to the Nets Twitter/2cool2blogAfter shooting 3-17 in a 29-point loss last week to the Brooklyn Nets — from whom he’d just forced a trade — Harden went out partying with his longtime friends, rappers Travis Scott and Lil Baby.
“And be careful James Harden! Be very, very careful. It ain’t Houston,” Smith continued Sunday.
There are a few cities that are just different in terms of what the fans demand — namely, New York, Philadelphia and Boston.
Harden during the Sixers-Magic game on Sunday, March 13, 2022 Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesFortunately, Sixers fans had a reason to celebrate Sunday after the team’s 116-114 overtime victory against the Magic.
They’ll host the Nuggets on Monday night in Philadelphia.
