PHILADELPHIA — Forward P.J. Tucker felt nostalgic as he visited Wells Fargo Center for the first time since being traded from the Sixers to the Los Angeles Clippers, reminiscing about former teammates and the venue.
Tucker joked on Wednesday that he didn't expect a warm welcome in South Philadelphia, but he welcomed the emotions.
Tucker expressed his fondness for the city and the team, recalling the energy of the playoffs and the familiar faces of those who worked at the arena. He emphasized the joy of reuniting with people from his time in Philadelphia.
Tucker, who is now with the Clippers, was averaging 1.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. The Clippers were ranked fourth in the Western Conference but had a 7-7 record in March.
In November, the Sixers traded Harden, Tucker, and Filip Petrusev to the Clippers for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap, and an additional first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Clippers, with players like Tucker, Harden, and others in their thirties, are considered one of the older teams in the NBA.
Harden, who played for the Sixers before, joined the Clippers where he averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. His departure from the Sixers followed controversy and a trade request.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was not worried about Harden feeling pressured to prove himself to the Sixers fans.
Lue emphasized Harden's positive contribution to the Clippers and their current position as the fourth seed in the league.
Harden's talent is unquestionable, and he is recognized as one of the top players from the 2014 draft alongside Steph Curry.
Harden, 34, has scored 25,787 points over his 16-year career, with an average of 24.2 points per game. He has achieved several accolades including leading the league in scoring, earning the MVP title, and leading in assists.
Sixers fans expressed their disapproval of Harden with boos during the game, and they celebrated when he missed shots.
Tucker, at 38, is one of the older active players and was selected as the fifth pick in the second round of the 2006 draft, following Kyle Lowrey.
Tucker expressed his happiness about returning, mentioning the potential of the team and the support of the fans. He also acknowledged the impact of the fans and the city on his motivation and the enjoyment of being around Sixers supporters.
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Coach Nick Nurse stated that Joel Embiid has been working on improving his skills and activities in preparation for his return in the current season.
Nurse confidently mentioned that Embiid, despite his surgery for meniscus repair, is likely to come back before the playoffs when questioned about it.
Nurse is optimistic about Embiid's return before the play-in playoffs, highlighting his active participation in skill work and court activities.
The Sixers' performance has significantly varied depending on Embiid's presence, with a 13-25 record in games without him and a 26-8 record with him during this season.
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Players have taken notice of the widespread legalization of gambling, and fans expressing disappointment through prop bets, sometimes in an alarming manner, as mentioned by Tucker.
Tucker expressed concern about the escalating nature of fans' reactions to lost bets, highlighting the extent of yelling at players in arenas due to betting outcomes, which he has been discussing and addressing for some time.
