Bryce Harper is one of the few people on this planet who can relate (at least a little bit) to LeBron James. They were both on Sports Illustrated covers as teenagers. They have succeeded as professional athletes while the highest of expectations have followed them. They are both Ohio State football fans.
And, now, they will share a city.
“Pretty cool,” Harper said Friday before the Philadelphia Phillies played the New York Yankees. “Obviously, one of the best to ever do it.”
Harper is one of the most recognizable athletes in the country, but he’s not James. Now, alongside Eagles mainstays Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia has a brand of star power that has few parallels in the city’s history.
“Just obviously a great city to come play in,” Harper said. “Fan base-wise, sports-wise. I 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 the postseason this year as well. So just a really good spot to be in.”
Harper, like most people following the James saga, expected him to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was his prediction when asked last week during an ESPN broadcast. Harper might not be the biggest NBA fan; he said he’s met James at the ESPYs before.
He understood the magnitude, much like how the city reacted when Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal in March 2019.
“We’re in different places in our careers,” Harper said. “So I think that plays a little bit into it. Obviously, he’s one of the greatest ever to do it. He’s done it for a long time. I mean, there’s four guys over there on that starting lineup; they’re probably really happy. It’s Nick Nurse’s birthday today, too. But the city is on fire about it. I mean, how could you not be? It’s LeBron James.”
