Phillies players react to LeBron James’ decision to play for Sixers: ‘Really cool for the city’
Bryce Harper and Trea Turner were among those who expressed excitement about King James' arrival in Philly.
At 17 years old, Bryce Harper was dubbed the “Chosen One” on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Tom Verducci’s 2009 cover story invoked the nickname previously given to 17-year-old LeBron James on his 2002 SI cover, and drew parallels between the two prodigies. Verducci went as far as calling Harper “Baseball’s LeBron.”
Nearly two decades later, and both Harper and James are playing in the same city.
“One of the best to ever do it, being able to come in and enjoy that club over there. Obviously, they got good young group over there that are a lot of fun to play with,” Harper said. “So, really cool for the city, him coming.”
Harper added that he wasn’t surprised that James chose the 76ers.
“They’re really good,” he said.
The buzz around James’ two-year deal with the Sixers had reached the Phillies clubhouse ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Yankees. Hours after news of the contract broke, a screen outside Citizens Bank Park projected an image of James in a Sixers uniform with the message, “Welcome to Philly, LeBron!”
Jhoan Duran, Bryson Stott, and Cristopher Sánchez were among the Phillies who posted images of James on their Instagram stories on Friday.
Trea Turner, a Boynton Beach, Fla. native, grew up a fan of the Miami Heat and watched James lead them to back-to-back championships. He said he was excited for those who haven’t had the chance to see James play get that opportunity.
“The additions have been crazy,” he said of the Sixers. “I felt like they had a good core, and adding [Jaylen] Brown and LeBron, I think it’s going to be pretty special. So hopefully they stay healthy and come together and win a bunch of games.”
Harper and James have met once at the ESPYs, an annual sports awards show produced by ESPN. In 2016, James beat out Harper, Cam Newton, and Steph Curry for Best Male Athlete.
Harper is now more than halfway through his 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies that was at the time the richest in North American sports. He had no advice to offer James — “he knows exactly what he needs to do,” Harper said — but wished him the best.
“Just obviously a great city to come play in fan base-wise, sports-wise, feel like the city’s in a really good spot with all the teams right now, from us, to the Sixers, to the Eagles, to the Flyers making postseason this year as well,” Harper said. “So just a really good spot to be in.”