Kevin Hart may be losing a regular golf partner in Los Angeles, but he gained something much bigger: LeBron James on his hometown team.
The Philadelphia native erupted after James agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, celebrating the decision in a profanity-filled video posted to his Instagram.
“Philadelphia, stand the [expletive] up!” Hart shouted. “Shouts out to my goddamn brother for making the right choice, for making the best choice.”
Hart could barely contain himself as he declared basketball in Philadelphia was about to become “big” and “major.”
“I need to calm the [expletive] down,” he added. “I’m too hype. Don’t laugh”
The reaction was hardly surprising. Hart is one of the Sixers’ most visible celebrity fans, regularly sitting courtside, ringing the ceremonial Liberty Bell and attempting to recruit stars to Philadelphia through texts, jokes and relentless hometown pride.
This recruitment came with a more personal connection.
Hart and James have been friends for years, with much of their recent public back-and-forth centered on golf. Hart recently joked on The Tonight Show that James leaving the Lakers would destroy their routine because the two had been playing together several days a week.
“I don’t care about what that man is doing with basketball,” Hart said days before the decision. “He is messing up our golf routine.”
The Sixers have not won a championship since 1983, a drought Hart has spent years loudly suffering through.
James’ move may make their weekly golf games harder to schedule, but Hart now seems willing accept the trade.
His friend is heading east—and bringing championship expectations with him.
