Photo of James Harden at Sixers Camp Gave NBA Fans Ben Simmons Flashbacks

One photo of James Harden at 76ers training camp immediately brought all the Ben Simmons jokes.

While James Harden did indeed arrive at 76ers training camp on Wednesday, and also participated, the looming question about how the coming days and weeks will play out wasn’t immediately put to rest. Although Harden received some praise from teammates, the first glimpse of him on the floor may have summed up how he’s feeling at this moment, being in Colorado with the team.

As Harden awaits his future and hopes for a trade out of Philadelphia, nothing looks imminent at this point. And when Bleav In 76ers dropped a first look at the guard, the reactions were priceless — with plenty of Ben Simmons references looking back at when he showed up to Sixers practice reportedly with a cell phone in his pocket.

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— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) October 4, 2023

They want him to be ben simmons so badly????????????

— phillydrilz (@phillydrilz) October 4, 2023

The new Ben Simmons? ????

— Matt K (@i_luv_coffee) October 4, 2023

pic.twitter.com/6OG9PS4KNN

— Richard Staple, BSN, RN???????? (@RichStapless) October 4, 2023

For what it’s worth, sometimes a picture doesn’t fully sum up exactly how things played out. Two other photos of Harden at camp came out shortly after the initial shot and gave off a very different vibe, at least on the surface.

James Harden’s arrival to training camp was “largely anticlimactic” and “drama free,” @wojespn reported on NBA Today.

“He’s here, he knows the schedule, and we expect him to be here now,” head coach Nick Nurse said after practice. pic.twitter.com/kSuflNpR6P

— Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) October 4, 2023

Even still, the reactions poured in about Harden, and the other comments on the initial photo certainly didn’t disappoint either, as fans had plenty to say.

James is there so he doesn’t get fined no doubt

— thee SafeMoon Guy???? (@theeSafeMoonGuy) October 4, 2023

WHAT DID I DO IN MY PAST LIFE TO DESERVE THIS

— CBain☀️ (@cbain100) October 4, 2023

Say he there just checking out the scene lmao ????

— Kelzo (@datboykelzo) October 4, 2023