An open letter of thanks to James Harden

What James Harden did for John Hao and the rest of the Michigan State community was incredibly commendable.

Dear James Harden,

I’m sure with your busy schedule you will not have time to read this, but here goes.

I (along with all of Spartan Nation) want to offer my profound thanks for everything you did for John Hao. As a part of a community that was grieving, moments like Sunday afternoon offer a brief moment of respite.

I often see social media posts from other fan bases, schools, or famous personalities honoring victims of a horrific tragedy. And I usually would think to myself that those types of gestures ring hollow or empty. But having witnessed a calamity at a school that I hold in such high esteem, I can assure you that could not be further from the truth.

What you did for John after the game on Sunday is a glimpse at the goodness in humanity. How people can band together in the face of adversity. And how someone like you has the ability to change another human being’s life forever.

No doubt in my mind John was at his lowest point in the hospital earlier this year. But when you video-called him offering to buy him tickets to a game, you undoubtedly gave John a story that he would tell his children and grandchildren someday. Not only that, but you also brought him onto the court after you hit a game-winner. And you gifted him with signed shoes as a cherry on top.

Exceptionally classy stuff, Mr. Harden.

And now for a piece of advice: I’d bring John to every single 76ers game going forward. I know it’s a single data point, but a 40-plus-points-per-game average for the rest of the playoffs would be pretty sick to hold up. I know that giving him a pair of signed shoes might be a little bit too much to ask, but I would think it would be worth it to secure the NBA’s first-ever 82-0 record.

One other idea: perhaps you could join us courtside for a game in the Breslin? MSU fans would gladly welcome you with open arms to East Lansing.

Anyway, good luck with the rest of your playoff run. You are a Spartan Dawg today, good sir.

Yours truly,
TheRealSharty (Anthony)