If Bryce Harper Doesn't Respond Shortly, James Harden is Going to Out-Pander Him
After the win on Monday, NBC Sports Philly got a shot of James Harden running stairs of the Wells Fargo Center, ingratiating himself into even the coldest Philly fan hearts:
Right after the Sixers handled the Bulls, James Harden was spotted back out in the bowl at the Wells Fargo Center running stadium stairs 👀 pic.twitter.com/5HVSim3E89
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 8, 2022
Bryce Harper and Nick Sirianni better respond quickly or Harden is going to make up market share in the “Pander Rankings.”
Right now the standings are:
1. Nick Sirianni
Nick Sirianni had a great showing last week. He had draft prospects shooting on a Villanova branded mini-hoop and answered press conference questions in a Sixers pullover:
“He’s just gotta continue to get more and more and more reps.” – Coach Sirianni on @JalenHurts pic.twitter.com/vHkCVr5mA9
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 2, 2022
2. Bryce Harper
And Bryce Harper has checked in via his Instagram story: pic.twitter.com/vt1omi5jV3
— Bob Wankel (@BobWankelCB) February 28, 2022
The man who wrote the book on pandering to Philadelphia fans. There’s the Phanatic spikes, the Clearwooder shirt last spring, and his longing to see the Liberty Bell(?). The first thing Bryce did when Nick Sirianni was hired was mail him a book on how to make it here. He just hasn’t had the opportunity to really pander to the Philly fans because he’s been locked out. Also, you got to deduct points for even offering to go play in Japan. A true 4 for 4 guy never goes past Washington Ave.
3. James Harden
The new guy in town has already checked off a couple boxes. He’s winning, he’s eating $1,000 steaks in Miami with Tyrese Maxey and praising the fans:
Philly, @JHarden13 loves you right back!
GN Sixers twitter. 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/G23tWcEtot
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 3, 2022
If James Harden puts together a couple more good weeks like this and the Sixers are threatening to be the #1 seed in the East there is a realistic chance he overtakes Bryce Harper by the time the next “Pander Rankings” are released.
Keep an eye out on some other Philly athletes who could make some noise:
Jason Kelce
This isn’t even pandering, it’s just good ol’ fashioned American fun:
Jason Kelce: Man of the People pic.twitter.com/VEsBu3NrIV
— Luke Stansfield (@Luke_StansNFL) June 30, 2021
The Flyers
The only good thing the Flyers have done this season:
“Some of these players will move up the ladder and compete at higher levels in college and junior hockey, but for many others, @TheFlyersCup is the pinnacle of their youth hockey journey, and we want to make sure it’s a memorable experience for them.” https://t.co/hlpnsMqLeR
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 4, 2022
Landon Dickerson
Landon Dickerson on chapter 7 of the “Bryce Harper Book of Pandering” pic.twitter.com/uTZu7Imnci
— The Wooderboys (@wooderboys) August 8, 2021
DQ: Jalen Hurts
Unacceptable:
Here’s QB1 pic.twitter.com/G9fGiTvYQY
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) December 9, 2020