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:

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:

2. Bryce Harper

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:

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:

The Flyers

The only good thing the Flyers have done this season:

Landon Dickerson

DQ: Jalen Hurts

Unacceptable: